Lairg and Rosehall primary and nursery children come together for opening of new playpark at Ferrycroft Park
Around 70 children from Lairg and Rosehall Primary and Nursery schools gathered for the opening of the new playpark in Lairg on Thursday.
Lairg & District Community Initiatives (LDCI) announced that the installation of a new playpark at Ferrycroft Visitor Centre in Lairg was complete this past week.
To celebrate the day, an informal opening was held on Thursday October 10 in time for the school holidays. The school and nursery children where joined by LDCI board member Annette Parrott MBE, who asked the children to join her in counting down from 10 before she cut the ribbon and declared the park open.
Since 2021, the organisation (LDCI) has been working in partnership with the Highland Council, the Lairg Community Council and a group of local parents who were keen to address the lack of play facilities for children in the area.
The playpark had been developed at the Ferrycroft Visitor Centre in the 1990’s but over time the equipment grew old and had to be removed, so the site lay empty for several years.
A community consultation held by LDCI showed widespread support for the creation of a new playpark on the site, and this has now been achieved, with much of the new all-abilities equipment chosen by local children themselves.
Alison Magee, LDCI’s Vice Chair who worked on the project said, “It was wonderful to see how excited and enthusiastic the children were to try out the new equipment that they had helped to choose.
“As well thanking the pupils, we have many others to thank for helping us to deliver this project: Louise Skinner from Lairg Community Council who also represented the parents; Phil Tomalin, John Mackay and Evan Sinclair from the Highland Council; Derek Harvey and Dawn Leitch from Hags (the Playpark suppliers); and Steven Christie Landscapes (the contractors).
“We are also grateful to David Watson from Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust for assisting us to secure much of the £117,473 of funding required to build this new playpark, and of course we would like to thank all of the funders for their financial support.”
LDCI received £60,000 from the Highland Council Community Regeneration Fund, £33,600 from SSE Renewables (Achany Community Fund) & RWE Rosehall Community Benefit Fund, £10,000 from The Westminster Foundation, £5000 from Lairg Community Windfarm Fund, £2357 from the North Highland Initiative, and LDCI also pledged £6516 through community fundraising.
Malcolm Macleod, assistant chief executive at Highland Council said, “The new all abilities playpark at Ferrycroft is a very welcome development for the area and testament to the hard work of all involved.
“There is no doubt this will make a difference to the lives of young people in the area by meeting a need that has long been identified locally for more recreational facilities.
“I’m delighted that Community Regeneration Funding and working in partnership with Highland Council has enabled the community to achieve this long held aspiration.”
David Shearer, SSE Renewables Community Investment Manager said, “The fantastic modern play facilities now available at the Ferrycroft play park, not only helps young people to thrive and develop, but also showcases Lairg as an attractive place for young families to live or visit.
“The need to address the lack of recreational play facilities in Lairg was a priority for the community and we are delighted that the Achany Community Fund has been able to support this worthy project”.
Lesley Morrison, head teacher of Lairg and Rosehall Primary Schools commented, “The children thoroughly enjoyed the opening of the park, and I am sure it will be well used.
“They loved being involved in choosing the equipment. We want to thank all the people who made it possible.”
Pupils from Lairg and Rosehall had the following to say about the new park:
“It’s really fun to play on.” Lexie
“I am really grateful to have such a great park.” Robyn
“I think it’s something that we really needed in our community.” Tor
“The design is fabulous.” Mavis
“It’s a much better replacement.” David
“The best day ever!” Anon
