FITNESS enthusiasts are set to benefit from a major overhaul of a village play area after councillors approved a £50,000 cash boost.

Kilbarchan Community Council will be awarded the money to make a variety of improvements to the public park in Parkview.

Plans include outdoor gym equipment, additional seating and picnic benches.

Meanwhile, the wet pour rubber surfacing will be replaced in some areas and a feature is expected to made out of the steep grassy mound.

The decision to approve the cash injection, which will come from Renfrewshire Council’s Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund, was made at a meeting of the communities, housing and planning board.

Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch, said the park has much potential.

He added: “As a young dad many years ago, I used to take my son as a toddler to play in the park and it’s popularity has not dimmed in 20 years.

“The community council did a survey which showed residents felt the park was important for children’s play and exercise.

“This park has so much potential. Recently, my wife and I happened to visit the café in Barshaw Park, Paisley. The former park pavilion has been turned into a fantastic place.

“Kilbarchan Park does have a smaller but unused pavilion, so perhaps there is scope for some enterprising individual to turn it into a tea and coffee bar selling soft drinks and snacks.”

The community council carried out a consultation last year on proposed improvements, with members visiting the local nursery, primary school, aftercare group and Action for Children unit in the village.

Hard copies of the survey were also left in key areas and social media polls generated further interest.

Around 350 responses came in overall, with 54 per cent of people saying they consider the park useful for children’s play and exercise.

A total of 48 per cent said they felt it was a great place to enjoy the outdoors, with many suggesting the park’s green space is one of its greatest assets, and fitness groups suggested further opportunities to encourage exercise should be explored.

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