Plans to upgrade play park facilities across Argyll and Bute have taken another step forward.
Argyll and Bute Council recently carried out a public consultation to seek feedback on how communities would like to see Scottish Government funding of £938,000 allocated to play parks in the area.
The consultation attracted an excellent response, with more than 1,000 adults and 400 young people taking part to give their views.
Councillors discussed the findings of the consultation at a series of Area Committee Business days, before agreeing to allocate the funding as follows:
| Helensburgh and Lomond - Total budget £368,500 | |
| Hermitage | £30k |
| Kirkmichael | £25k |
| Red Guantlet | £20k |
| Arrochar | £40k |
| Bendarroch | £40k |
| Howie | £40k |
| Kidston | £20k |
| Kilcreggan/Cove | £40k |
| Rhu | £50k |
| Tarbet | £20k |
| Cardross | £15k |
| Bute and Cowal - Total budget £167,500 | |
| Meadows | £25k |
| Port Bannatyne | £30k |
| Sandbank | £30k |
| Glen Morag | £40k |
| Dunoon Skate Park | £25k |
| Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands - Total budget £368,500 | |
| Ardrishaig | £33k |
| Tarbert | £20k to supplement existing funds of £80k. |
| Bayview | £25k |
| Kinloch | £5k but there is a proposal to remove this park as Lochend Play Park is approximately 150 metres away. This needs to be agreed locally first. |
| Lochend | £33k |
| Hillside | £33k |
| Meadows | £50k |
| Stewarton | £20k |
| Jock’s Boat | £50k |
| Bengullion Road Skate Park | £10k |
| Ramsay Hall, Port Ellen | £30k – in partnership with South Islay Development who are in the process of redeveloping the Ramsay Hall Area where the play park is. |
| Oban, Lorn and the Isles - Total budget £33,500 | |
| Tobermory | £33.5k |
Whilst the respective Area Committees have agreed on the plans, the council will now contact community councils and disability forums to inform them of the plans and ensure maximum engagement locally.
Councillor Ross Moreland, the Council’s Policy Lead for Climate Change and Environment, said: “Throughout this process, it’s been clear how much value our local communities place on children and young people having easy access to good quality play parks which offer a safe, fun environment.
“The feedback we have received from local people has been extremely valuable and an integral part of the scheme from the outset and we now look forward to beginning work on the new facilities in 2024.”