I-Play comes to Worcester

There were jubilant celebrations in Worcester last night after it was announced that plans to create an I-Play facility in Cripplegate Park have secured Lottery funding following victory in a TV vote.

The I-Play project was featured on ITV1 as part of the People’s Millions contest set up by the Big Lottery Fund. Community schemes from across the midlands went head to head with the winners decided by public vote. Fortunately for Worcester the I-Play project captured the public’s imagination and local youngsters can now start dreaming of the hi-tech solar-powered play facilities that the park will eventually house.

Worcester residents and ITV viewers voted for the I-Play project to win the award of almost £44,558 which will result in the installation of new hi-tech play facilities in Cripplegate Park . I-Play is a new concept in play, designed to counteract the current trend in obesity and ‘couch potato’ syndrome. It uses computer and mobile phone technology to motivate children into activity. Participants play the physically active game and compete with themselves or others in the park, city, or county in order to complete the game in the fastest time.

One of I-Play’s strongest points is that it can be played by children in wheelchairs or those who have hearing or sight impairment. It is a trail blazing piece of equipment and now Worcester is all set to be one of the first places to benefit from it.

Cllr Margaret Layland, who is vice-chair of the Friends of Cripplegate Park said: "This is terrific news. We can now fund the cost of installing the I-Play game, alongside an up-to-the-minute youth shelter and contemporary seating. For Worcester this is a unique chance to make a big difference to people’s lives and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to vote and all those people who worked so hard on the bid submission in the first instance to create a stimulating, enjoyable and useful environment for young people."

The friends committee worked very hard raising the profile of the bid across the west side and to the wider city and were supported by all the local and regional media who reported the live phone in show and promoted the telephone number.

Ian Yates, Parks and Cemeteries Manager at Worcester City Council also thanked people for their support: "The West Mercia Police, Worcester Community Housing, Sanctuary Housing and local schools all backed the bid and although the number of votes cast has not been revealed the backing of a significant number of people in the city did mean that the project beat a far larger organisation to the money.

"The city’s various friends groups have enjoyed considerable success this year, but this is the biggest single award for a friends group to date. The park wardens are delighted to support these volunteer groups on both practical works and in their applications for funding."