South Ayrshire Council News

Plenty of fresh air, fun, healthy exercise, meeting old friends and making new ones – just some of the benefits of new play equipment will bring to local communities in Ayr and Prestwick.

South Ayrshire Council is investing £50,000 in new play equipment for Ardfin Road in Prestwick and Murray Street in Ayr. The funding is allocated in the Council's Capital Plan for 2010/11. The style of the equipment is very varied to encourage as many children as possible to enjoying playing on it.

Councillor Margaret Toner, Economic Development, Tourism and Leisure Portfolio Holder said: "Play is a very important activity for children. While having fun they are improving their health with physical exercise out in the fresh air.

"Providing children with an opportunity to socialise with other children can also help to improve their communication skills, make them feel a real part of their community and encourage them to take part in activities.

"The communities in Ayr and Prestwick will benefit greatly from the new play facilities, and can rest assured their children will be able to play in a safe environment. It costs nothing for the children to use the equipment they just have to turn up and enjoy themselves. Parents will also benefit as they will have happy and contented children who have had a chance to burn off their excess energy. It will be a real boost."

The equipment in Ardfin Road will include a multi unit; overhead hand-held spinning wheel; dish roundabout; dynamic stand-on swinging item and 3 activity panels.

Murray Street will have a multi unit; see-saw roundabout; steel dish roundabout; flat-seat swing; cradle-seat swing; basket swing; springer rocking roundabout and a springer see-saw

The installation of the new play equipment is scheduled to commence in Ardfin Road, Prestwick in mid to late September and in Murray Street, Ayr in late September or early October. The installation works are expected to take around 3 to 4 weeks to complete.