A special ceremony was held at Coleg Morgannwg’s Rhondda Campus on Tuesday, 27 February. Members of the local community joined with college staff to celebrate the completion of the new Community Centre, which will be officially opened later this year.

The event was marked by the burial of a time capsule, which had been put together by children from the local schools, Spectacle Theatre, local residents and organisations well as college students.

The time capsule contents have been collected over the last year and reflect today’s life style and culture.  Some of the items include photographs, DVD’s, drawings, information about the project and college information including its history. 

The time capsule and its contents were placed in a special cavity outside the foyer of the new centre.  Mr Les Rees, Ex Chair of Governors, buried the capsule, with the local school children on hand to help.  The location is marked with a plaque and the intention is that the contents will be re-opened in the year 2057 by the college principal, local residents, school children and users of the centre.

Mr Jan Knight, College Principal/Chief Executive, said “ We hope those who open the contents in 2057 will find them both interesting and informative.  The college is facing an exciting future with this new centre.  I am certain, the college will still be playing a key role in the local community in 2057.

Mrs Rhian Rees, Head Teacher, Pontrhondda Primary School, said, “We have all been keen to get involved with this project.  We were present at the Cutting of the turf ceremony and are delighted to support this event.  This is the start of a link which will be ongoing between the school, the college and the whole community”

One of the school children added “ We are excited about our drawings being buried in the capsule and we hope that we can go along and dig it up in 50 years time”.

Mr Terry Edwards, Operations Director for Andrew Scott’s [contractors responsible for the construction process]- and ex student of Coleg Morgannwg stated “ we are very pleased to be associated with such a unique facility for the local community and the Rhondda Valleys, which I am sure will be enjoyed by all that pass through its doors for many years to come. It is especially satisfying, and very close to my heart, that I was a student here back in 1981 working in the bricklaying workshops - on this very spot, then returned back in 1985 to work as a trainee manager on the construction of the new workshops, only to be here again in 2007 handing over these superb facilities – what a journey!! ”

The Community Centre will provide an excellent community resource, offering creative spaces such as an Auditorium, Dance Studio and Recording Studio to enable people to meet, learn and find enjoyment through participation in the activities that will be provided by the various organisations.

This development has been made possible because of the close working relationship with other organisations including Communities First and Spectacle Theatre.  It is envisaged that the Centre, will foster increased community engagement and act as a catalyst in helping to regenerate the local community.

This development would not have been possible without the commitment of ERDF and the support of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council & the Welsh Assembly (LRF)