Plans for John O'Groats playpark in memory of Julie McGee pick up momentum
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Plans are in the pipeline for an ambitious project to create new recreational facilities in John O'Groats to benefit the local community as well as visitors to the area.
The three-phase project – in memory of Julie McGee who tragically passed away earlier this year – is set to include a £300,000-£350,000 seaside themed playpark, a £100,000 pump track suitable for bicycles, and a £100,000 Multi Use Games Area (MUGA).
A sub-committee of the John O'Groats Develpment Trust are pushing the plans forward along with the help of part time development trust officer Alistair Jack.
Mairi Anne Cormack, one of Julie's friends helping to drive the project forward, explained: "Myself and several other of Julie's friends who got to know her through the various community groups she was involved in really wanted to do something in her memory so when Willie Ross brought up the swing park at the John O'Groats Junior FC AGM it was an ideal opportunity to do something really significant.
"Julie was such a vibrant, outgoing, motivated, fun, community minded person that a project of this nature would have been something she herself would have likely been eager to be involved with and to see it though for the benefit of all involved.
"One key thing is that we hope with the support of the the community and wider general public we can do Julie and her family proud."
The friends got in touch with the development trust who, through Mr Jack, have hit the ground running with the plans.
The development trust officer said: "We spoke to Julie's family and they were happy to do a park in her honour."
Mr Jack pointed out that the young mum of two, who died suddenly in April, was a well-known and well-loved member of the community with a passion for sports and all things fun.
"This project is a fitting memorial to Julie, and will be a legacy which will benefit not only the local community, but the wider community of Caithness as well as the tens of thousands of domestic and international visitors to the area each year."
Andrew Mowat, of the John O'Groats Development Trust, the group behind the plans, said: "It is a good thing for everybody. Since Alistair Jack has been in post the work he has put into the project has been absolutely excellent."
At the moment the sub-committee are considering two choices of equipment for the playpark – one is a robinia timber build from Russell Play similar to the park at Staxigoe and the other is a galvanised steel system from KOMPAN.
Mr Jack stated that first phase of the project was classed as a super playpark, suitable for children from 1-14, and was probably triple the cost of similar facilities in the county.
With John O'Groats being such a popular place for locals to visit as well as tourist he felt the facility would benefit everyone as well as local businesses.
Phase two of the project will be the pump track which can be used by bikes, scooters, skateboards, roller boots and even some wheelchairs – a fully inclusive facility for all ages and abilities. A video of a track in Inverness can be viewed on the group's recently set up Facebook page.
The final phase is the MUGA which will provide facilities for children and adults alike to participate in such things as five-a-side football, basketball, hockey tennis, netball and volleyball.
"We need to put the plans to the community first," said Mr Jack who has recently created a Facebook page for the group – John O'Groats Development Trust Playpark Project.
"We already have 700 followers in the space of a week," he said. "It has certainly gained a lot of momentum. There have been no negative comments, it has all been positive. There are bound to be hurdles along the way."
The proposals will go to public consultation at the John O'Groats Hall between 10am-4pm on Saturday, December 4.
Those going along will be able to see a presentation of the project as well as take part in a survey and make suggestions about the different choices of play equipment.
