Cairndow centre open for play
Team effort and optimism reap rewards in Cairndow
The excitement was palpable as children got stuck into the serious business of play.
Argyll’s newest indoor adventure play area opened at Cairndow on a typically damp Argyll day on Saturday January 11.
Fyne Den, part of the Cairndow Community Childcare community company, has its home in a new, purpose-built centre at the head of Loch Fyne.
Suitable for children from six months of age accompanied by an adult, the new Fyne Den adventure play area aims to be an ‘inspiring, creative and totally immersive place for children to play’ seven days a week.
Business development officer Sheena Dowse said: ‘The equipment, all made of natural products, is designed to keep children amused for about an hour.
‘But we had an open day recently and after two hours we had to drag them out. The kids just love it.’
The other half of the Fyne Den building is occupied by the Little Learners childcare and early learning facility which opened on Monday January 6, catering for children from newborn babies up to eight years, including after school care.
The new childcare rooms – featuring high ceilings, sky lights and picture windows, allows natural light to pour in, giving the rooms an airy glow. Weather permitting, the children can enjoy the outdoors.
There is also a fully kitted-out room where health, social care or other community activities could take place.
Company director Virginia Sumsion was still erecting flat-pack furniture as the play area opened its doors.
‘It feels great to see it opening,’ said Virginia.
‘We are really excited about the building and this is just the start of building a sustainable community business. The Fyne Den play area is essential to support the childcare side of the centre. The two need to work together.
‘It’s a really exciting space. It’s unique in Argyll and we are planning an outdoor play area. It suits all ages, it is interactive and adults are encouraged to join in the play. Plus there is coffee and free wifi.
‘From a tourism point of view, if visitors are going to the oyster bar or the tree shop or Fyne Ales you’ve got something for the kids.
‘The other aspect is that it frees up Cairndow Village Hall, where we have been up until now. Already there are bookings coming in to fill the gap, which is good.
‘We opened in the hall in 2005 and it was always meant to be a temporary arrangement. It’s taken 13 years to get to this stage and there have been plenty of obstacles on the way, but it’s well worth it.’
Virginia added: ‘What this project shows is optimism and having confidence in the area. It offers a boost when we hear so much about things closing down in Argyll.
‘It shows that if you work together, support each other and keep going, you will achieve something in communities.
‘We have a great community and a great location but without the funding, which came from the Scottish Government and the Big Lottery, we wouldn’t be here, combined with the support of the community and businesses.’
More information can be found on the Fyne Den Facebook page.
‘It feels great to see it opening. We are really excited about the building.’