Path upgrade at Thurso boating pond would cost £55,000 and have 'a huge community benefit'
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A plan to carry out a £55,000 upgrade to the path at Thurso Boating Pond would have "a huge community benefit," says one of the people behind the project.
Donna Stewart of North Highland Harriers (NHH) said the proposed scheme would benefit the club which uses the area for training but also the wider public.
The application, which has been submitted to Highland Council, is for an upgrade of the existing path from one to two metres wide, drainage to reduce the flood risk and a new link path from the boating pond to the riverside bridge path.
"We use the path round the boating pond but over the last few years it has become worse and worse. There is no obvious organisation to take the resurfacing forward so we have decided to do it. Although there will be benefit to NHH, the upgrade will have a significant positive impact for all users.
"We do not use the area that much over the winter because of flooding problems and as the lighting is not that great. This project, if approved, would make it available to us all year round by improving the surface and giving us somewhere to train.
"It would also have a huge community benefit as the paths are used by hundreds of people a week, including dog walkers and the youngsters who use the playground," said Donna, who explained the North Highland Harriers is a Caithness-wide running club which has been in existence for over 10 years.
She said £10,000 of the £55,000 cost has been committed by the Harriers.
If the application is approved by Highland Council, then the balance will be sought by crowdfunding and various other bodies.
"We would hope, if all goes to plan, to have the improvements done and in use this year, although that would depend on how quickly we can secure the remaining funding," she added.
NHH chairman Sandy Christie said: "The existing path, which is about 450 metres long, is narrow and subject to flooding. The upgrade will allow for disabled access and better use of the existing path lighting. This will result in a safer environment for wheelchair users, adults, children, those walking with prams, toddlers, cyclists and dog walkers.
"Path users will have the ability to pass each other without having to leaving the lit path area. The addition of drainage will decrease the chance of standing water and will minimise the path maintenance and degradation in the future, reduce the ice risk during winter and slippery surfaces during wet periods.
"In addition, the upgrade will assist the general public, schools and clubs that all use the path for access to the local facilities."
He said the upgraded circular route would adjoin the main riverside path allowing "a greatly improved network of paths in the Thurso river area".
The application is said to be under consideration.
