Port Ellen playing fields facelift under way
Port Ellen will soon have fantastic new facilities for islanders and tourists which will help grow the Islay economy.
South Islay Development Company (SIDC) is behind the plans to improve the playing fields near Ramsay Hall.
The old pavilion near the bowling green is being knocked down to be replaced by a smart new building housing a café, storage, places for groups to meet and business premises.
A hairdresser and beautician are already booked in. And Sheila Corson, who runs the horsebox snackbar nearby, will also be opening in the new building.
The play park equipment is being moved to near the bowling green and café so all age groups can socialise together. Parents can enjoy coffee and cake while watching their children play in the play park.
All the fields are being drained and the number camper van spaces is being increased from four to 12.
Each space will have state-of-the-art facilities, a place to dispose of dirty water, somewhere to dump rubbish as well as laundry services. There will also be two fully accessible showers in the toilet block.
Alyson MacGillivary of SIDC said: “The motorhome side of things is coming on well. We are resurfacing with eco grid; you can drive over it and grass can grow through the plastic cover. It protects the grass and keeps the area looking nice.
“The new community space will have a café, rentable rooms for local businesses, storage for the sports hub and public areas that can be hired out for functions.”
The motorhome pitches under construction at Port Ellen. Photograph: Rita Campbell
The old pavilion, which was part of Port Ellen Playing Fields, is small, run down and had water running through it. It was been built in the 1950s and was coming to the end of its life.
The new pavilion will have a red roof in keeping with the old one.
The nearby Ramsay Hall also has a red roof in keeping with the style of the area. The Ramsay Hall is relatively well used, but it’s a huge building. It will be used for bigger public functions.
Port Ellen Sports Day takes place on July 20 this year but the project won’t be complete in time for this year. But participants and visitors can expect to see a great new look at next year’s event.
At the beginning of the job, a few challenges were encountered with cables where they shouldn’t be. But these have been resolved and work is progressing well. It is expected the motorhome pitches and play park will be open later this summer.
Sheila Corson's snack bar will be moving into the pavilion once it is completed. Photograph: Rita Campbell
The new pavilion is expected to open towards the end of August, possibly into September.
The entire project is costing jsut under £2m.
Glenmorangie was the first organisation to put £250,000 up which helped get match funding. Other supporters are Bruach Architects, Armour, Narro, Kilbride Consulting Engineers, Visit Scotland, HIE, Procast, Argyll and Bute Council, The Scottish Government and more.
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