£3 million to fund fun at region’s play areas

A series of new play areas have already been created at a cost of £1 million and councillors at the Infrastructure and Regeneration Committee approved plans for a further £2.2million of projects which will enhance play facilities at an additional 23 sites in West Dunbartonshire.

The next phase of developments, which are being funded from money set aside for community improvements in this year's budget, include new play areas in New Bonhill, Haldane, Christie Park, Tullichewan, Dumbarton Common, Overburn, St Helena Crescent, Goldenhill Park and Linnvale.

This will be followed by a further phase including a new play area in Balloch, a skate park in Bonhill and a new all-weather games area in Goldenhill Park, Hardgate.

Residents in the areas where these improvements are planned will be asked for their feedback on the proposals and, if there is community support, work is scheduled to begin in the next 18 months.

Councillor Patrick McGlinchey, spokesman for Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: "We're building a better West Dunbartonshire and alongside large developments such as new schools, we're also Improving the environment in our communities through smaller scale developments.

"The play areas and sports pitches help foster a sense of pride and of place. We've already invested significant funding in these types of projects, we know how popular these developments are with our families, and that's why we're determined to create even more."

Dumbarton councillor David McBride added: "We're working with our residents to improve communities and enhance opportunities for play and sport. We fully appreciate the benefit of sport and play for our young people and these new development will provide even more challenging, safe and stimulating outdoor areas for them.

"By the time these latest projects are complete every community in West Dunbartonshire will have access to enhanced play facilities.”

Work will begin on the projects once the procurement process is complete.

The areas set to benefit from this phase are:

Balloch Park Slipway Play Area

Mollanbowie Estate

Inler Park

Riverside Estate

Westcliff

Brucehill

Bellsmyre Nursery

Silverton Milldam

Bowling

Faifley

Whitecrook Park

Yoker Boundary

Crown Ave/Second Ave, Clydebank

Community Park HCI

A new skate park is planned for Dillichip Park while the Multi Use Games Area in Castlehill will be upgraded and an all weather sports area will be created at Goldenhill MUGA

The projects that have been delivered to date include:

•Moss O’ Balloch infrastructure upgrade - £120k, improve drainage on Moss O’ Balloch.

• West Thomson Street play area - £150k, of which £125k was developers match funding.

• New sports pavilions, Dumbarton Common & Singers Park - £350k, of which £150k was match funding from sportscotland.

• Faifley Knowes playpark - £75k, of which £10k was match funding from Save the Children.

• Breval Crescent playpark - £60k

• Milton playpark - £40k.

• Dalmonach Park upgrade - £75k.

• Rosshead all-weather sports pitch refurbishment - £45k.

• Community Greenspace project, Old Kilpatrick - £40k.

• Dalmuir Square upgrade - £40k.

• Tontine Park play area - £60k.

• Wylie Park play area - £80k.

• New Street playpark - £40k.

• Thistleneuk play area - £60k.

• Argyll Park 3G pitch - £560k, of which £250k was sportscotland funding

• Outdoor gym equipment - £40k

• East End Park 3G Pitch – £300k, of which £175k was match funding

• Stark Avenue play area - £40k

Projects identified for delivery during 2016/17 include:

•New Bonhill - £140k

• Brown Street, Haldane - £75k

• Christie Park - £80k • Tullichewan - £80k

• Dumbarton Common - £80k

• Overburn - £60k

• St Helena Crescent - £40k

• Goldenhill Park - £150k of which £80k is play and £70k park infrastructure

• Linvale - £70k

Proposed Projects for consultation:

•Mollanbowie Estate - £40k Upgrade of existing play equipment and provision of additional equipment to improve play value experience.

•Balloch Park Slipway Play area - £100k This is probably the most used site in West Dunbartonshire. The site is now over 10 years old and much of the equipment is in need of replacement. •Riverside Estate - £50k This is a new play site taking into account additional new properties built in this location.

•Dillichip Park - £80k Creation of a skate park. There are no properties within the immediate vicinity which would mean that there is unlikely to be opposition to this proposal.

•Castlehill – upgrade MUGA’s – £80k The two MUGA’s are now over 10 years old and are in need of resurfacing.

•Westcliff upgrade – £40k Upgrade of existing play equipment and provision of additional equipment to improve play value experience.

•Brucehill upgrade - £40k Upgrade of existing play equipment and provision of additional equipment to improve play value experience.

•Bellsmyre Nursery - £60k Upgrade of existing play equipment and provision of additional equipment to improve play value experience.

•Silverton Milldam - £60k Upgrade of existing play equipment and provision of additional equipment to improve play value experience.

•Bowling upgrade - £30k Upgrade of existing play equipment and provision of additional equipment to improve play value experience.

•Faifley upgrade - £40k Upgrade of existing play equipment and provision of additional equipment to improve play value experience.

•Goldenhill MUGA – Old Tennis Courts - £150k Creation of an all weather sports area to meet demand in this area.

•Whitecrook Park Upgrade - £50k Upgrade of existing play equipment and provision of additional equipment to improve play value experience.

•Yoker Boundary Upgrade - £50k Upgrade of existing play equipment and provision of additional equipment to improve play value experience.

•Crown Ave/Second Ave - £30k Developer funding & £30k WDC Extension to existing play facility with match funding from housing developer.

•Community Park HCI - £15k Developer funding & £30k WDC Extension to existing play facility with match funding from housing developer.

•Inler Park - £70k Provide play equipment.