RUDBAXTON Community Association (RCA) is celebrating a £15,587 funding boost to enhance playing facilities and car parking at the village’s Community Hall.

The money was provided by SITA Trust, which channels grants through the Landfill Communities Fund for projects that enhance communities and enrich nature.

The RCA’s project proposes to use space around the Community Hall to create a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), an all-weather facility which can be used by locals all year round. The wider project will also increase car parking at the hall by 20 spaces. Currently, the field is often used for additional parking, but in winter the saturated ground has caused problems for drivers.

RCA secretary Islwyn Howells said the group was “very grateful” to SITA trust for considering the project, which will benefit the community for years to come.

Jools Granville of SITA Trust said: “The community hall and surrounding green space is a key component of the village, and the Community Association is very active in maintaining and improving the village’s facilities.”

The RCA attracts a range of activities to the hall, including short mat bowls, pilates and square dancing. The group is also creating a community garden at the site.

SITA Trust also provided a grant to the RCA in the summer of 2009, to improve the village’s play equipment.