A NEWPORT community is set to receive a big cash injection to re-develop and improve two sites.
Ringland Community centre, in Ringland Circle, will benefit from more than £440,000 for refurbishment after a funding package was agreed by Newport City Council's Cabinet.
The Ringland Shopping Centre is also receiving a £170,000 investment from the council to improve the area and tackle anti-social behaviour.
The refurbishment of the community centre will include new shower and changing facilities, a cafe, an IT room and two conference and meeting rooms.
Work is due to start this month and the proposed completion is May 31.
A spokesman for the council said: "It is hoped that all sectors of our society will be able to enjoy and benefit the fantastic facilities that the centre will offer."
Three members of staff at the centre will remain there during the closure and the fourth will be temporarily relocated to another community centre.
Renovation of the centre will be done as part of the Phoenix Project, which will be planned and completed by the council, working alongside Ringland Community Association (RCA) and other community groups.
Pat Singleton, community manager at RCA, said: "We're extremely pleased about the money going into the area, the community centre will be a tremendous asset for the community.
"We're hoping that the centre will be full of activities that will meet the needs of the community."
Ringland Shopping Centre will benefit from new security measures, including the installation of fencing and gates, improvements made to the footpath and the removal of graffiti.
Additional work will also be done around Milton Court to improve the area for residents.
The work on the shopping centre was approved in the autumn and is set to be completed before April.
Cllr Tony Gray, said: "We have actively encouraged the involvement of local people to bring about these changes, and there has been a great deal of support for these plans.
"The centre is at the heart of the Ringland community and we want it to remain that way."
Janet Booth, 67, Old Barn: "I think it's needed, especially for the children."
Malcolm Baker, 59, Kier Hardie Crescent: "It's not before time, the amount of times no end of people are moaning because they've got nothing to do. That will be a positive for them."
Peter Kent, 65, owner of the butchers in Ringland Centre: "This is the village centre and that's why I think it's important they keep it going. It's a good area with a good mix of shops, hopefully it will draw more people into this area. With a bit of vision they can get it right."
Ronald Ellul, 63, Moore Crescent: "It's very positive, it will be a benefit to people in the area."hopefully it will draw more people into this area. With a bit of vision they can get it right."
Alana Davies, 23, Nelson Drive: "It'll keep the kids out of trouble, at the weekend, they've got nothing to do otherwise. It's definitely a good thing to get them off the street."
Gemma Ellul, 26, Playford Crescent: "It will be nice, kids need a place to go. It will be good for the youngsters and I think it will be good for the estate."
Sgt David Morgan of the Alway neighbourhood policing team who cover Ringland has welcomed the new security measures at the Ringland Centre, describing it as "a wonderful idea".
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