Major milestone reached as work set to start on Helmsdale's space themed play park
A MAJOR milestone has been reached in a project to restore a dilapidated Helmsdale play park.
The group behind the £150,000 project say work to remove redundant old play equipment and prepare the ground is set to take place over the next two weeks, courtesy of Roberts Buildings Contractors.
And installation of new equipment has been scheduled to start on Monday, August 28. It is hoped the play park will open in October.
It follows months of fundraising with the scheme given a huge fillip in January when it was awarded £70,000 from the Community Regeneration Fund.
The theme of the revitalised play park is 'space' – due to Helmsdale's connection with Virgin Galactic's chief pilot David Mackay, who was brought up in the port.
It is thought the new play park with its bespoke play equipment, could be the first of its kind in Scotland.
The group involved – Helmsdale play SPACE – is working under the umbrella of Helmsdale and District Community Association.
Helmsdale Primary School pupils have been heavily involved with the park's design and development.
A post on Helmsdale play SPACE's website states: "A massive thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. Works will commence in August 2003 and the park will open in October."