Happy play days could be on their way in Grantown
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Wind has been put into the sails of a community project to transform a rundown play park in Grantown into a facility of which the town can be proud.
The Dulaig Park Renovation Team (DPRT) has just been awarded £19,621 from the Berry Burn Community Fund.
In all, 12 projects in the Highlands and Moray catchment area of the wind farm are to benefit from grants totalling £60,312 in the latest handouts. They also include Strathspey Works (£3250); Grantown Grammar School (£2791) and Grantown Swim Club (£2000).
DPRT committee chairwoman Sheena Corcoran said: ‘This is an amazing step forward for the committee. Everyone involved has worked so hard over the past year to try and get this project off the ground and it’s all coming together brilliantly.”
The Dulaig Park scheme was also recently named as one of the local beneficiaries of the Co-op’s community cash pot.
DPRT treasurer Mike Sinclair said: “Being accepted by the Co-op Community Fund was a huge boost for the committee, and being accepted for the Berry Burn Community Fund has been absolutely astounding. The community is delighted and inspired to get behind us and continue their fundraising efforts during these challenging times.”
The Berry Burn money will be used to buy new swings, an accessible-for-all roundabout and a climbing frame for installation in 2021.
The play park project has also had another win.
Mrs Corcoran said: “This funding is essential for the future of the renovation, but just as important is the successful engagement with the Highland Council to have the obstructive chicane removed from between Rhuarden Court and Dulaig Park. This may seem a small success compared to the funding, but it means the park is now fully accessible from all directions and for all users.”
The committee is aiming to raise around £60,000 to renovate the play equipment in full. Also planned is renovating the ball sports area; installing a seating area, bins and signage and a dementia-friendly and mindfulness area.
The cash pot receives an index-linked annual budget of £190,000 from global renewables company Statkraft, whose 29-turbine Berry Burn wind farm lies between Forres and Grantown.
Anyone who wishes to donate can do so at the group’s GoFundMe page by clicking here .
