IT'S taken eight years - but a new play area has finally opened in Slaithwaite.
The area, near Lingards Road, which boasts a new slide, roundabout and shelter for teenagers, replaces a dilapidated nearby playground.
It was officially opened by Kirklees Mayor Clr Margaret Fearnley on Saturday.
The project was the brainchild of Lingards Tenants' and Residents' Association.
Chairwoman Mandy Tolson said she got involved when her son, then aged five, hurt himself on the slide.
She added: "We started looking at revamping the rec eight years ago. We had an unsuccessful bid through the Lottery and we tried to get another one, but we couldn't get our group's constitution right."
The group then turned to smaller bodies for help.
Mandy said: "We managed to get some money from the local area committee and Living Space, a fund for environmental projects, helped us."
The association managed to raise over £43,000.
Mandy said: "Kirklees Council Leisure and Recreation Services gave us what we needed. We've had excellent support through them.
"We got some money from the local charity shop and from fundraising we did ourselves."
Work started on the play area last November.
The association now plans to install some artwork.
