Protest over opt-out scenario for playing field
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A CAITHNESS public leisure amenity could be left unattended if a private operator cannot be found to take it over, prompting concern about a surge in anti-social behaviour and vandalism.
High Life Highland (HLH) has revealed that if its current tendering process for Rosebank Playing Fields in Wick fails, the area will be left unsupervised but still available for public use.
This has rankled members of Wick Community Council who think the safety of users could be put at risk.
The attempt to find outside operators to take over the playing fields and the boating pond in Thurso, as well as a public playing park in Dingwall, is part of HLH’s drive to make three per cent savings over the next two years. In the event that no operator is found, equipment for its mini golf course and tennis court at the Rosebank site would be made available at Wick Library.
Community Council chairman Niall Smith said this would be an unacceptable outcome.
He fears a lack of supervision would cause health and safety problems at the playing fields.
"Without having staff there would mean that vulnerable people using the facility could be exposed to greater risk of bullying or vandalism," he said.
"This proposal would lead to a reduction in access – the savings should be found without any reduction of services.
"Having the equipment off site at the library is a reduction in service, as the library and playing fields have different opening times.
"I am not confident that a tender will be found and the library can’t open any longer than it already does and it isn’t manned for the appropriate hours of the playing fields."
Mr Smith added: "We don’t have any problems with the council finding solutions if it means the service is the same but the problem here is the solution will involve reduce services."
"There was significant public investment that went into the facility and we don’t want the quality of it to go to pot."
Mr Smith said that the adjoining bowling green was not part of the Rosebank Playing Fields tender and would be continued to be maintained by the council.
In a letter published in today’s John O’Groat Journal, HLH chief executive Ian Murray makes clear that should the tender exercise fail, the park would be opened and closed as normal.
He said: "Access to hire equipment (putters and rackets) will be made available at no charge at the library during opening hours and any fresh interest by a potential operator will be looked into."
Representatives from HLH are set to meet with the community council at its next meeting on May 6.
