THE group set up to bring a Saltcoats swing park back to life celebrated on Friday as council leader Joe Cullinane told them they would be getting their share of £500,000 to make their dream a reality.
Members of Saltcoats Active Lifestyle, SALT, were summoned to a meeting at the Winton Circus play park today (Friday) to meet the council leader, councillor Jim Montgomerie and David Hammond, NAC's Commercial Head of Service.
And David told them they would be given the money to transform the play park to its original glory.
He said: "I am impressed with the work of this group and their focus on the community and to people visiting the area.
"We are happy to support their plans and look forward to working together."
For weeks they have been campaigning to bring a pirate play ship and new play equiment to the harbourside park.
The £500,000 will come from North Ayrshire Coucil's Recovery and Renewal plan fund, money that has been earmarked for upgrading coastal play areas.
It's hoped that it will be a boost for the community and attract visitors to Saltcoats.
Delighted SALT chairperson Donna McGregor said: "I don't know what to say. It's hard to take it all in.
"We just want somewhere that families can go and visitors can come to, we have happy memories of Winton Circus and I want other people to have those too."
Council leader Joe Cullinane said: "North Ayrshire’s coastline is our greatest natural asset and we are delighted to be investing £500,000 of council funding to enhance our coastal play parks.
"As a father of two young girls, I spend many an hour pushing them on swings or taking them on slides so appreciate just how invaluable facilities like this one are to communities and families.
"Not only that but our coastal play parks are also really valued by people visiting our regions.
"Playing outdoors has always been important to the wellbeing of kids but the pandemic has shone a light on that more than ever."
Councillor Jean McClung who has been working with SALT from the start said: "This is wonderful news for this group who are all committed to the community.
"I cannot wait to see their plans come to fruition and in such a short space of time, they have secured the funding to make their dreams a reality."
Councillor Jim Montgomerie added: "This is an important step for us and we are delighted to be working with SALT to develop plans for the playpark at Winton Circus.
“We look forward to having further discussions with local groups and elected members to discuss our plans for our coastal play parks across North Ayrshire."
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