Funding approval helps keep city play areas open

Inverness Councillors have endorsed the spending of over £25,000 COVID Ward Funds in five city Wards for the provision of play grade bark to make play area surfaces safe for users.

Expenditure has been approved on play area bark in the following Wards:

• Ward 12 – Aird and Loch Ness - £19,687.50
• Ward 13 - Inverness West - £875
• Ward 15 - Inverness Central - £700
• Ward 17 – Culloden and Ardersier - £2,100
• Ward 19 - Inverness South - £1,750

Highland Council previously decided in January 2021, to enable Area Committees to decide to set aside existing COVID funds for spending on projects coming out of lockdown to assist children and adults, such as contributing to play parks.

Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area Cllr Helen Carmichael said: “Following safety inspections where some play surfaces across Inverness area did not come up to the necessary health and safety standards – in order to prevent them remaining closed - it was vital to use COVID Ward Funds to re-open the play areas.

“Having safe outdoor spaces to play, and have fun – has never been more important than it is now during a pandemic - for families and young people.

“Council officers will be undertaking wider engagement with communities on play park provision in the coming months ahead to help better understand community priorities and different ways in which the Council can deliver sustainable play provision across the city.”