20 years ago, Llay Park Resource Centre opened its doors to the public and has proven itself a true community hub ever since.
The centre was officially opened in the spring of 2005 by Wrexham AFC footballer, Chris Armstrong, as the new home to local groups, events and Llay library.
Many groups have come and gone over the years including Ma’s Bar, Llay Boys and Girls Brigade, Llay Beavers and Cubs, parents groups, after school club, U3A and street dancing. There have also been regular drop-in sessions with the local police, Citizens Advice Bureau and Llay housing.
Over the years, there have been hundreds of adult learning courses including: introduction to computers, card making, sugarcraft, wood carving, bushcraft skills, upcycling, Welsh, digital photography, watercolours, first aid, essential skills and CV writing to name a few. In total, Llay Park Resource Centre has enrolled 3,456 learners onto courses at the centre! There have also been many fundraising events for local and national charities, raising £12,354.67 in total. Finally, it’s also home to five local businesses – 1st Enable, Central Park Café, Llay Barber’s Shop, Wrexham Chiropody and Podiatry, and Your Space.
Centre support worker, Sarah Smallwood-Smith, loves her job and is proud of what the the centre has provided over the last two decades. She said: “I have worked at Llay Park Resource Centre since it opened in May 2004 and it is still the best job in the world! I had finished university and still didn’t know what I wanted to be ‘when I grew up’ so you could say I fell into this role, but I truly feel it was made for me! My mum’s family are from Llay and my Grandad was the groundsman at Llay Miner’s Welfare so I grew up in the village, and working there feels like going home.
“My first task when I started working at the centre was to implement all the administration systems, many of which are still in place now. Then I was tasked with securing adult learning courses within the centre for the local residents, which I still do today and find so rewarding.
“I’m one of three staff members who have been working at Llay Park Resource Centre from the start, my colleagues Wendy and Tina are still here too – I think this shows what an amazing place it is to work! I love listening to the community and if they ask for a particular course at the centre, I will do my best to try to source and provide this for them.”
Lead member with responsibility for libraries, Cllr Beverly Parry-Jones, said: “Before Llay Park Resource Centre opened, the library was in a hut in Llay. It moved to the centre when it opened and since then has seen 336,510 visitors. The library also provides free community groups, including: adult craft groups, children’s craft groups, Lego club, reminiscence group, book club, parchment craft, mixed media art and story-time. I would like to thank all the staff here for their hard work over the years in making the centre what it is today.”
We will be celebrating the centre’s 20-year anniversary with events throughout the centre – make sure you keep an eye on this blog and social media for the details.
There are five resource centres across the county borough each serving the local and wider community. You can find out about each of them on their webpage below:
Acton community resource centre
Plas Pentwyn Resource Centre, Coedpoeth
