Children will benefit from after school clubs

The area's first Integrated Children's Centre (ICC) will be created in Caia Park, Brynteg and Plas Madoc.

The money has been awarded by the lottery's New Opportunities Fund (NOF).

The scheme will provide early education, childcare, open access play and training for parents.

Instead of building one main centre, the three Wrexham locations will get new projects from the funding.

New-look school

In Caia Park, an extension to the Venture Centre will be built to provide breakfast and after school clubs.

The Venture was set up in the late 1970s to offer a haven for five to 16-year-olds.

The scheme's primary purpose is to provide youngsters with somewhere to play.

However new schemes have been set up at the site including an adventure playground and homework clubs.

There are plans to extend Brynteg Primary School with the setting up of holiday clubs and playgroups.

At Plas Madoc Opportunities Centre a new play area for local children will be created and the centre will also act as a new base for a Welsh medium playgroup.

"Supporting the building of Integrated Children's Centres is the latest initiative in complementing our aim to create good quality childcare in the most disadvantaged areas of Wales," said Tom Davies from NOF.

"This programme allows us to give more parents access to childcare and to provide quality activities for young people," he added.

All the schemes are expected to be up and running by April 2005.