A £6.5MILLION investment is set to expand and upgrade facilities at Urdd Gobaith Cymru's residential centres in Wales, including the Glan-llyn site near Bala.
A turf-cutting ceremony held on October 25 at Glan-llyn Isa’ near Llanuwchllyn, marked the beginning of the makeover.
The investment combines a grant from the Welsh Government as part of its 21st Century Schools and Education Programme, Big Lottery Fund Wales and match funding by the Urdd.
The project itself includes a standalone centre aimed at older Urdd members and a new water sport centre with modern facilities at the Glan-llyn site and a complete modernisation of parts of the Llangrannog site, creating increased accommodation.
To note the start of this significant 18-month development programme, the Urdd invited former head of Glan-llyn centre, John Eric Williams to cut the turf at his previous home, Glan-llyn Isa’.
Also present were Siân Lewis, Chief Executive of the Urdd and Huw Antur Edwards, Director of Glan-llyn centre.
PICTURE: (L-R) Huw Antur, Director of Glan-llyn centre, Elgan Pugh, contractor, John Eric Williams, former head of Glan-llyn and Sian Lewis, Chief Executive.
Glan-llyn Isa’ is an old stone house a quarter of a mile from the main Glan-llyn Urdd centre. Central to the Urdd’s investment is the renovation and extension of Glan-llyn Isa’ to offer accommodation and teaching spaces aimed primarily at young people over the age of 16. Once completed, Glan-llyn Isa’ will be a multi-use resource, offering;
- Accommodation for up to 30 young people, facilities and outdoor activities independent to Glan-llyn and available to smaller groups and private bookings;
- Additional accommodation and facilities for use when needed by the neighbouring Glan-llyn centre.
The investment further reinforces the significant contribution to the Welsh economy by Urdd Gobaith Cymru. According to a report published last year, the Urdd’s economic effect on Wales in 2017-18 was £25.5million and it is estimated that the economic effect will have increased to more than £31m during this year.
In 17-18, the Urdd residential centres generated a total economic value of £6.9m in Wales with the Glan-llyn centre generating £2million through expenditure on goods, services and staff as well as through local expenditure by visitors to the centre.
With 47,000 annual visitors and a turnover of £5million, Llangrannog and Glan-llyn Urdd centres currently employ 160 staff between them. It is anticipated that the increase in visitors at the centres will result in an additional £1.3m in turnover for Urdd Gobaith Cymru and an increase in staff numbers.
Siân Lewis, Chief Executive said: “I’m very pleased to welcome John Eric Williams back to Glan-llyn Isa’ today – many of us have very fond memories of his time as Glan-llyn’s head of centre. Now, his former home, Glan-llyn Isa’ is about to enter a new episode in its history – as an education centre and a fantastic new resource for the Urdd.
“This is the start of a significant and important project for the Urdd, upgrading and extending our outdoor centres here in Glan-llyn and Llangrannog. This will further enhance the unique and potential life-changing experience for those attending our centres. More than 50% of all Welsh schools attend Urdd centres on residential courses, and of those who visited over the past three years, 26% came from the 20% most deprived communities in Wales.
"We are therefore a significant educational force in Wales, providing valuable and long-lasting experiences to children and young people in Wales.
“We have also become an important part of the local economy and our ambition is to continue to have a positive impact for future generations.”
John Eric Williams added: "In the early fifties when Glan-Llyn was bought by the Urdd, a practical unit was secured, namely Y Plas (the main house), Glan-Llyn Isa’, sailing rights to Llyn Tegid and rights of way on the lands. Glan-llyn Isa’ was used in various ways, including a home to us as a family when I was director of Glan-llyn from 1967 to 1982.
"It was wonderful to hear about this recent development that will breathe new life
into the building and its magnificent setting, keeping the original unit intact."
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