Work has begun on a £500k play centre for children in Reading.

The pavilion in Prospect Park will be home to mini-golf, a ropes course, climbing walls and a new café.

Since Monday Reading Borough Council have begun clearing hedges and shrubbery to the rear of the pavilion to make way for outdoor play facilities.

Councillor for culture, heritage and recreation Karen Rowland said: “It is fantastic to see work to build a major new destination for families across Reading and beyond from next week."

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She continued: “This project will play beautifully in enhancing the assets we have in the park. Reading doesn’t have a significant outdoor activity centre like Wokingham’s Dinton Pastures or Bracknell’s Go Ape.

The councillor added: “I personally can’t wait for a mini-golf round amongst some of Reading’s finest heritage buildings.”

The play centre will have a multi-function room for parties, meetings and teaching, including those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) or excluded from mainstream education.

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“This development will allow our amazing Play Service to expand the important educational work they do with vulnerable children across the borough,” said Cllr Rowland.

“This will be a significant and valuable extension to our provision for vulnerable and SEND children in a fun, safe and welcoming environment.”

The playground in Prospect Park has also been prioritised for improvements, particularly free accessible equipment for children of all abilities, and work is anticipated to start in spring 2022.