Work set to start on new play facility for Melrose

The Gibson Park play area will see all its current equipment replaced by new facilities, with work to begin on Monday, March 7, and is estimated to last between five and six weeks.

Once completed, the wide range of new equipment will cater for children aged two to 14, with improved bark safety surfacing also added.

Funding has come via Scottish Borders Council’s play parks budget (£33,000) and Quality of Life funding allocated to Melrose (£2,638), the William Hill Fund (£24,700) and Melrose Pay Parking funding (£14,500).

In addition, £1,200 was provided from the Curle Bequest, a fund which was established to maintain the former children’s pond in Melrose.

In a joint statement, David Parker, Jim Torrance and Iain Gillespie, the Leaderdale and Melrose councillors, said: “We are delighted that we have secured the necessary funding to carry out this major redevelopment of the very popular Gibson Park play area.

“The play area is very well used and was created around 20 years ago by the community.

“It is now time to upgrade the area as some of the equipment has reached the end of its life.

“The new play-park will provide more equipment than is currently on site and a far better play experience for the young people in Melrose and the many visitors to the park.

“We do understand that some young people will be disappointed that the play-park is out of action for five to six weeks, but the wait will have been worth it once completed, as the new play-park promises to be a significant improvement on the current facilities.

“The investment in the play-park should last 25 to 30 years.”

It is also intended to upgrade the footway leading into the play-park, with a wider tarmac path to be installed.

For their safety, youngsters are asked to keep away from the site while the construction work takes place.