Pictures: Pupils' delight as £60k new play park opens next to Brora Primary School
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A NEWLY renovated play park next to Brora Primary School has been officially opened after two years in the planning and construction.
And three former pupils whose fundraising helped bring the project to fruition, were given the honour of performing the opening ceremony on Friday, November 5.
Jaz Campbell, Libby Roseveare and Maisie Macleod, who have now moved on to secondary school, raised more than £6000 through a 22-mile sponsored walk and other initiatives.
The new play park replaces one which had been installed more than 30 years ago and was latterly in such poor condition that it presented a health and safety risk and had to be closed.
Two local parents Jane Mackintosh and Donna Pryde were the driving forces behind the project and managed to drum up an amazing £60,000 of funding with local businesses and the school community digging deep to lend support. Grant aid was also sourced from outside funders.
Ms Mackintosh said: “The biggest funder was our amazing community. We have been so grateful to absolutely everyone who has supported us and made this possible, not just for bairns from Brora but anyone coming into the village.”
There was great excitement at the school when diggers arrived last term to clear away the old park and get the groundworks ready.
Pupils kept an eye on progress and watched as play equipment was then delivered, put together and erected on site.
Head teacher Dawn McKenzie said: “Both primary school and nursery pupils are over the moon to finally have the playpark open.
“The smiles on their faces and the fact that many stay after the school bell at home time are testament to the enjoyment it is giving.”
And the project is not at an end yet with the next phase the repainting of an adjoining block wall and further additions to a grassy area.
Funders were: Brora Thrift Shop; G & R Sutherland; Brora Community Fete Group; Tesco Bags of Help; Highland Council Ward Discretionary Fund; The National Lottery Community Fund; EB Limited; Highland Council Coastal Communities Fund; Kilbruar Windfarm; Maisie Mackintosh; Logic Alarms Ltd; John Gunn & Sons Ltd; Lawrie Demolition; Gallifordtry; Black Isle Alarms; HIS Inverness; Morrison Construction; Royal Marine Hotel; Maisie Macleod; Jasmyn Campbell; Libby Roseveare; Lindsays & Co; Linda's Cafe; Victoria Garage; Edinburgh Sutherland Association; Diageo; Brora Church.
