A group of local organisations including Affinity Sutton, and housing and regeneration specialist Keepmoat, have worked in partnership to donate almost £100,000 of materials and labour to transform a community picnic area at the Sutton Community Centre on Doveridge Gardens in the very heart of Salford and its community.
Part of the site adjacent to the community centre remained untouched after previous development and has since become overgrown and unkempt. Keepmoat, which is one of Affinity Sutton’s main contractors, was working on site when they were approached to help dig out unwanted trees and make the floor surface safe; the team at Keepmoat also helped build a number of picnic tables for the area whilst also installing planters.
The newly rejuvenated community picnic area will be named Scanlon’s Wing, after local lad and Manchester United footballer Albert Scanlon who opened the final phase of the development in 2008.
Frank Mondino, Area Director for Keepmoat North West, commented: “We’re delighted to work with Affinity Sutton and a number of other partners to deliver the fantastic Scanlon Wing which the whole community can enjoy for years to come.”
Phil Miles, Director of Regeneration and Communities at Affinity Sutton, said: “It’s great to be bringing this space back into use for the benefit of the community, it will make a great addition to the community centre. The nod to Albert Scanlon in the new name preserves some of the local heritage for generations to come.”
The community picnic area was officially opened by Albert Scanlon’s son Greg Scanlon and Neil McCall, Group Operations Director at Affinity Sutton on Friday 26th June.
