Game on for tenants

The group has secured £70,000 of funding from Neighbourhood Services for the facility to be installed at Gillies Park.

They have been trying to get improvements to the park for five years. The games area will be built on the former tennis courts on the south side of the park.

It will include a porous asphalt pitch that will be suitable for multiple games such as hockey, basketball, and football.

Of the £70,000, just under £55,000 will be for the games area which will be developed by Hawthorn Heights Ltd and £15,000 will be used for lighting which will be done by Tayside Contracts.

A sub-group made up of members of the association carried out door-todoor canvassing in the community to find out if residents would support a play football there, and often I’ve heard they can’t play because it was all muddy.

“The sub-group have worked very hard.

“There is a small playpark but the games area will make a huge difference to the school and to the kids round about.”

Neighbourhood Services convener Kevin Cordell said: “The community has worked very hard for this and I was happy to facilitate the meeting with officers and elected members.

“I know it will be a welcome addition to the local community and will encourage more children to enjoy the park, in safety.

“The fantastic proposals are testament to the determination of the local community, supported by elected members – past and present – and council officers.

“The Barnhill residents group carried out an extensive consultation showing the demand locally for this project.’’

THE Barnhill Tenants and Residents Association has successfully campaigned for a new multi-use games area.

Barnhill residents’ five years of campaigning finally paid off after they secured funding for an asphalt games pitch and new lighting at Gillies Park.

Kevin Cordell praised the hard work of the community to improve the park.