Council welcomes Big Lottery Funding for creation of Inverness play area.

Two Inverness Primary Schools are celebrating that their application to the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Spaces Scotland scheme to develop a community play area at Esk Road, Inverness has been successful.

Cauldeen and Hilton Primary Schools have been awarded £139,639 to develop a play area on Esk Road within the Hilton housing area. Through the project the schools aim to improve the area aesthetically, and encourage more young people to use the park for physical and social activity.

Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chair of The Highland Council’s Adult and Children’s Services Committee and Inverness Ness-side Ward member said: “The Community Spaces Scotland scheme intends that communities in Scotland come together to make better use of local spaces and places improve their environment and become healthier and more active.

“Both schools and their Head Teachers have done a wonderful job with their pupil councils to encourage pupil participation in this excellent project and to bring their wider communities together under the Community Spaces Scotland ethos.

“The Inverness Ness-side Ward Members have been very supportive of the pupils’ efforts and have committed discretionary funds towards the Project.”

Project Leader and Head Teacher of Cauldeen Primary School, George Glass welcomed the announcement, he said: “Both pupil councils at Cauldeen and Hilton schools have been heavily involved in the project. They have researched the existing play facilities in the area and compared them with what is available elsewhere.  They also conducted surveys and considered the wider needs of the community including play park users who are older or have a disability. I am delighted that their hard work and efforts have been rewarded and the project will go ahead.”

Margaret Lisle, Acting Head Teacher at Hilton primary School added: “Esk Road play area is roughly equidistant from each school, and is used by pupils from both.  The project has been widely supported by the local community, including the local Community Council and the Police.  Apart from the educational benefits derived directly from participating in a project for the local community, which fits with the aims of curriculum for excellence, the project is positively developing the relationship between the schools and wider community.”