Work starts on Borders village's new community-funded playpark
Work has started on a new £239,000 community-funded playpark in Coldingham, marking a major milestone for a project led by local volunteers and supported by the wider community.
Members of Coldingham Community Council, local children and KOMPAN Scotland’s Contracts manager Kevin Hodges gathered at the existing playpark site to officially mark the start of construction.
Work began in the middle of last month and is expected to take around seven weeks to complete.
A small team of volunteers has spent the past 18 months working with the local community to raise funds and develop plans to transform the village playpark.
The upgraded playpark will provide a vibrant, inclusive and accessible space where children of all ages and abilities can play and explore, and where families can enjoy spending time outdoors.
Pupils from Coldingham Primary School also played an important role in shaping the project by helping to choose the equipment they wanted to see included.
Councillor John Greenwell, Scottish Borders Council executive member for roads and public space, said: “This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when local people, community organisations and partner agencies work together with a shared ambition to improve facilities for children and families.
“The new playpark will provide an inclusive and welcoming space for young people of all ages and abilities to enjoy, and it is especially positive that pupils from Coldingham Primary School helped shape the final design.
“I would like to thank Coldingham Community Council, the local project team, funders, businesses and everyone in the community who has supported the fundraising effort and helped make this project possible.”
Coldingham Community Council provided 50 per cent of the required funding, with the remainder secured through grants supported by Scottish Borders Council’s Economic Development team, donations and community fundraising. The full project funding was secured within six months.
The local project team – Jack Eeley, Robbie Broomfield, Suzanne Broomfield, Hollie Dougal and Jan Walker – worked closely with KOMPAN and Scottish Borders Council officers to finalise a design that reflects community needs.