Swansea's rich history is being preserved for everyone to enjoy thanks to funding from the Welsh Government.
Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea
The grant worth £585,000 has been awarded to projects to help regenerate the city, Welsh Heritage Minister Huw Lewis has announced.
The money will be used to further develop Swansea Castle, a former copper works site and an art gallery.
Mr Lewis described the three sites as important to Swansea's history.
And he said the regeneration projects could play a key role in breathing new life into Wales's second city.
He added: "Swansea is steeped in history, from its ancient castle to the more recent industrial past. Preserving this heritage is a major factor in regenerating the city.
"These projects can help to tell the Swansea story — how the city and its people have evolved over centuries — and can provide a glimpse of the rich culture of today."
Of the funding stream, £135,000 will be put towards the second phase of landscaping at Swansea Castle — creating a public space within the grounds and opening the castle to the public for the first time in 50 years.
The castle will also act as a visitor gateway for the city. Meanwhile, it is hoped the £150,000 redevelopment of the Copperworks site at Hafod will create a "modern and vibrant riverside area" via the creation of commercial, residential and retail space.
And the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, founded in 1911, will receive £300,000 for renovation work to allow greater access to its works for a wider audience.
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley hailed news of the funding as important for the city's reputation at home and abroad.
Castle Square, Swansea
He said: "These partnership projects are examples of several that will help raise the profile of Swansea in the UK and beyond.
"It's important to attract new development, but it's equally vital that we build on what we already have."
The Welsh Government announced Swansea as its fourth Regeneration Area in Wales in early 2009.
Swansea East AM Mike Hedges, who said the city had a history to be proud of, welcomed the funding.
"This is fantastic news for the City of Swansea," he said. "Historic buildings and sites in Wales provide a powerful source of community identity and cohesion, and it is essential we invest in them to benefit future generations.
"I have fond memories of growing up in the Plasmarl area and I am especially pleased to welcome this news both as a former resident and now as the local Assembly Member.
"The old Copperworks will receive around £150,000 worth of funding to kick start the first phase of works.
"The city of Swansea proudly has a rich and cultural heritage in the copper smelting and exporting industry.
"It was the copper industry which engineered Swansea's reputation and status as a world- class industrial powerhouse during the Industrial Revolution.
"The announcement of this investment is truly a fitting tribute to the old Copperworks site."
South Wales Evening Post - Thursday, 18 August, 2011
