The proposed site for Kirkcudbright Skatepark has been approved by Dumfries & Galloway Council following a site visit made a few weeks ago.
Nick Jackson from Dumfries & Galloway Council, John Brown from Police Scotland, Diane McColm from Community Safety, Colin Wyper, Community Councillor and Alan McClure, Chairman of Kirkcudbright Skatepark Committee were all present at the site inspection.
The outcome of the inspection means that Dumfries & Galloway Council will adopt the skatepark upon its completion. The project is estimated to take a couple of years and will be dependent on the level of community support and interest as well as committee applications meeting all criteria required by the relevant funding bodies which have already been identified.
Gartshore Park, on the opposite side of Kirkcudbright swimming pool, is already ear-marked by Dumfries & Galloway Council for recreational use and scored highly on almost all criteria used to mark up the suitability of the site. This included scoring the site for suitable maintenance, lighting, pedestrian access, visibility, noise, emergency access and the availability of public toilets. It was recognised however that the ground conditions will need attention in terms of drainage.
Councillor Tom McAughtrie, Chairman of the Council’s community and Customer Services committee said;
“Officials have met with group members to look at Gartshore Park which has been proposed as the location of a skatepark in the town. It scored highly in all but one of the criteria required.
This location is currently recreational land and has excellent facilities nearby along with good lighting. Although the ground requires some drainage work, the Council have agreed to this site in principle, however the full proposal will require to be formally approved through the planning process.
Once built, the skatepark would be managed and maintained by the Council. Once again, our Council has demonstrated that were are committed to listening to the views of our public, and will provide a first class facility for skateboard enthusiasts.”
Meanwhile a primary 5 student at Kirkcudbright Primary School has won the competition to design a logo for Kirkcudbright Skatepark.
A vote was taken at the last committee meeting and Primary 5’s Aaron Baty’s logo will be used on marketing materials including news releases, corporate publicity packs and letterheads to represent the committee’s aims. Other logos, designed by both primary and secondary school children, will be displayed at a later date with opportunities to use their ideas in various ways to promote the benefits of having a skatepark in the town.
A committee for Kirkcudbright Skatepark was set up in May and will be obtaining charitable status with ongoing fund raising efforts including the latest bag packing in Tescos. Donations are also being kindly received for various parts of the community.
The Committee do need more members, specifically to fill the role of Secretary so if you are able to lend an hour a week or would just like to attend a meeting with suggestions then please contact committee Chairman, Alan McClure on [email protected] or message the committee via the facebook page ‘Kirkcudbright Skatepark’.
To find out more there is a meeting tonigh Thursday 26th November 6pm at Kirkcudbright Primary School.
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