South Wales Echo

Church site transforme­d into hub

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THE site of a former historic Valleys church has been completely transforme­d to offer Aberdare a community hub complete with a GP surgery and a cafe.

For more than 150 years St Mair’s, in Aberdare, was a fixture of daily life in the town – first as a church and then as a popular day centre for older people.

The site has been a key part of the community for a long time, and will now continue to bring people together as the Seymour Street site is re-opening as an inclusive hub.

Following a major refurbishm­ent project the building was officially opened on yesterday as Cynon Linc.

The Cynon Linc project was developed by a partnershi­p between Rhondda Cynon Taf County Council, Cwm Taf University Health Board, partners from the third sector and the local community.

The vision was to transform the former St Mair’s Day Centre into a modern and inclusive hub to serve the whole community, and the new facility includes a large kitchen and coffee shop, a doctor’s surgery, an over 50s advice and informatio­n point, mental health support services and a nail clinic.

Cynon Linc is also able to accommodat­e events, classes, and meetings. It has six rooms to hire including a fully accessible main hall, which seats up to 248 people.

The events programme includes everything from fitness classes for the over 50s to tech classes for beginners and weekly youth groups.

Rachel Rowlands, CEO of Age Connects Morgannwg, said: “I am so impressed with the re-developmen­t of Cynon Linc and the work the whole team has done.

“Despite the extensive challenges created by the pandemic, the project was delivered on time and on budget.

“The result is a bright, spacious, and welcoming hub that will be a major asset to the whole of the Cynon Valley for many years to come.”

St Mair’s Church first opened its doors in November 1864, and was built for the Welsh speaking Anglican congregati­on of Aberdare.

When the church was demolished in 1963, the site was developed and rebuilt as the St Mair’s Centre, a day centre for older people in the area.

Plans to redevelop St Mair’s started back in August 2018 when charity Age Connects Morgannwg took over the running of the building.

Constructi­on work started in August 2020 and was completed exactly one year later.

Councillor Nicole Burnett, chair of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnershi­p Board, said: “As a Regional Partnershi­p Board, which manages £5m of Integrated Care Fund (ICF) Capital monies across the region, it’s always wonderful to see fantastic ICF funded projects come to life.”

 ?? ?? The new community hub on the site of the former St Mair’s church in Aberdare
The new community hub on the site of the former St Mair’s church in Aberdare

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