Helston’s main park can now become an all-weather events space after successfully raising funding for a range of improvements.

South Kerrier Alliance has announced it has now raised enough funding to go ahead with the project for a covered area for activities, trading and performances in Coronation Park.

The project also includes refurbishment of the café toilets as well as more space for the cycle hire business and an office for park staff.

The centrepiece of the project is the construction of the ‘bandstand’ in Coronation Park, on the opposite side of Events Square to the café. Described as “a permanent timber structure, in keeping with the park’s aesthetics”, it will have the ability to be covered as an all-weather events space and market trading area.

The aim is to increase the number of park events and activities throughout the year, with regular market stalls giving opportunities to small traders and the chance to expand the successful Helston Farmers’ Market.

The funding will also support a refurbishment of the café toilets, and provide solar panels to help to reduce running costs, as well as storage space for activity equipment and expansion space for the cycle hire business.

Additionally, the project provides a new role of activities coordinator for South Kerrier Alliance (SKA), plus an office for park staff and youth workers.

The project is being 70% funded by £134,550 from the UK Government, through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with £22,000 funding from the Princes Countryside Fund, matched with additional funds from SKA and Lakeside Café. The project has a total value of £192,050.

David Turnbull, SKA director, said: “People will be aware that organisations such as SKA, Helston CIC and the town council, amongst many others, have made a huge effort over recent years to attract funding to Helston.

“At last we are seeing some success and look forward to Coronation Park continuing to thrive as we implement this and hopefully further projects in the future.

“We’re extremely grateful to Helston Town Council, our Cornwall councillors, our traders and visitors for supporting the work we’re doing in Coronation Park.”

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It is hoped the new project, which will be completed by June 2024, will encouraged people to spend more time in Helston, benefitting the local community and the town’s economy.

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for economy, said: “This project to deliver improved facilities for the local community at Coronation Park in Helston is just the sort of initiative that is a keystone of our Good Growth Programme.

“Levelling up Cornish communities is an important aspect of the Shared Prosperity Fund and these sorts of community level investments can and will make a huge difference to local people.”

Coronation Park was established in 1912 and is regularly described as a treasured Helston asset.

In 2018 SKA agreed a 99-year devolution lease with Cornwall Council, and now operates the park as a ‘not-for-profit-community-asset’.

In 2019 SKA raised £340,000 of funding from a number of sources to refurbish the park, which has seen an increase in the number of visitors.

The park remains free to access, including the children’s play park and skatepark.