Play Park News April May 2015
Play Area Progress.
April/May 15 –The group decided that it would not seek to take over the whole park due to anticipated major legal and cost issues, but limit the upgrade to the existing children’s area. Also there was a demand to have adult exercise equipment installed, and it was believed this would help attract funding. Approximate cost of kids equipment only - £72k, or £62k without zip wire. (It has been reported that zip wires are expensive to maintain, largely due to overloading rather than vandalism). The addition for adult equipment is £17k, making a total of £79k excluding zip wire.
The Play Park group had discussions with ERC regarding leasing of the area of the park for the new equipment. The outcome was successful, and ERC will lease the area for a peppercorn rent for 5 years. ERC will also insure and maintain the equipment for its life.
We also met with ERC’s administrator of the Whitelee Windfarm Trust, as we would be approaching them for funding, and were given some good advice.
Planning Department was consulted regarding the Developer Contribution from MacTaggart & Mickel of £30,000. We were advised that the money is phased and must be paid to ERC, it would then be up to ERC to decide whether to give UDT the money, but no problem about passing the money to us was envisaged.
Contact has been made with M & M and they have agreed in principle to pay the £30,000 to ERC when we need the money to pay the contractor, and not phased as normal which would not have suited us as the later phased payments could be as late as end 2016.
June 15 – The group commenced seeking grantors, and after reviewing various options, settled on applications to National Lottery Awards for All, The Postcode Lottery, The Robertson Trust and Whitelee Windfarm Trust. As one of the main grantors, Awards for All has a maximum capital project value of £75,000 including VAT that is our target price. We also agreed that UDT would carry out the dismantling, removal and disposal of the old equipment as a contribution to the overall cost.
July 15 - Some changes to some of the equipment were agreed, and a meeting was held with the contractor, Wicksteed who are extremely well known and reputable, to discuss these changes and to tell them that we need reduction in price to meet our target.
Application forms for funding are almost complete and will be submitted at the end of July. Our plan is that we hope to get the money before the end of the year, and start work on site March 2016, with completion coinciding with the school closing for the summer holidays. An opening event will be held.
Finalisation of the Parks & Play Area improvement Design
Parks & Play areas group will be at the Gala day to collect your Views and input to facilitate finalising the design including layout and equipment . Please visit their stand and post your votes & comments.
Can't make the Gala Day on Sat the 14th June?, then you will be able to see & input to the different designs which will be on display in the Mure Hall for a week after the Gala Day.
For Residents who immediately back on to the park, The Parks & play area group will personally visit you and consult on the proposed Design. ( This will happen after the Gala Day.)
Kick off Meeting :
The park group met for the first time on Monday 20th January. The group discussed the possibilities for developing the park; the updating of play equipment, smoothing of paths and drainage were all noted as priorities along with the potential for making the area look better while containing more sports facilities / activity areas that would increase access and activity for all ages. Group members have agreed to begin visits to other parks for inspiration and researching practical issues eg drainage and access. The next meeting will be on Monday 17th February in the Cocktail lounge at the hotel please come along if you would like to get involved in the project.
not a member? get in touch with David 850 777.
