Published: Wednesday, 19th December, 2007 12:30
Go-ahead for MUGA
By Caitlin Smith
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AFTER months of discussion - marked by accusation and SBC ‘clerical error’ - local representatives met this week to decide the future of a controversial play area.
The Galashiels & District councillors voted unanimously in favour of installing a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) at the top centre of Victoria Park.
In what is being presented as a concession to disgruntled residents, it will be built seventy metres from the Manse Street kerb edge.
While it will not impact on the existing football pitch, plans are afoot to move the rugby posts.
And to counteract concerns over child safety, barriers will be fitted along the side of the park.
Jason Hedley, parks manager at Scottish Borders Council, said: “It’s not going in the place originally identified as the Council’s preferred ‘optimum’ site.
“Because so many locals were unhappy with the suggestion we decided to move it as far as possible away from the Manse Street side.
“We actually ended up taking a suggestion from a member of the audience at a meeting, who said it should go overlap map sites three and five,” he said, referring to a map that was handed out at a recent meeting in Balmoral Primary School.
Six sites had been earmarked as possibilities for the MUGA.
According to Mr Hedley, potential legal restrictions meant the Meigle Park site near the cricket pitch was discounted.
As was a patch at the top left hand side of the park, because of additional costs.
Council representatives also rejected a number of the remaining possibilities due to spiralling expenses.
Councillor John Mitchell said: “We have to face the fact that we are restricted by money.”
This may prove a contentious decision.
During the recent school meeting the only site to attract any level of consensus was the bottom right hand corner nearest Mossilee.
But officials said they would not recommend it because it would cost an additional £13,600.
Mr Hedley told the Border Telegraph that now the decision had been reached it was full steam ahead.
“We will have started work early next year and it will be completed before March.”
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