Inverness riverside artwork ‘will prove to be a great benefit’
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The head of the working group set up to steer the riverside arts project through believes the decision to carry on with it is a “ringing endorsement” of the concept.
Councillor Isabelle Mackenzie was delighted that work can now proceed on the £750,000 project, including the centrepiece My Ness artwork as well as a planned children’s feature and rest space viewing platform.
“I am extremely relieved,” she said.
“Firstly, I fully endorse that we have had this public meeting, I was not against that, and I fully endorse the motion that was passed with my slight tweaks that I want to make sure this finishes in the next 12 to 18 months, and that we keep within the budget.
“I am absolutely delighted we have been given this ringing endorsement and that we can now go forward and finish this project.”
After campaigners raised concerns about disabled access to My Ness, Cllr Mackenzie said it was “a very important question” but suggested anyone concerned about the matter could have raised it earlier.
“As I say to people in my ward, if you don’t tell me, I can’t read your mind,” she said.
Professor Jim Mooney, who chaired the independent evaluation panel which selected the My Ness work proposed by artists sans façon and OSCalso, also welcomed the decision to proceed.
He said: “Personally, I am just really delighted that this project is to go ahead.
“I think it will prove to be a great benefit to the city of Inverness and it will enhance the natural beauty of the River Ness, rather than detract from it. I think it will prove to be a success with the passage of time.”
Council leader Margaret Davidson said she believed the My Ness work would prove popular with people who already enjoy the riverbank.
“This will provide another place to congregate and I think that is a splendid thing for people,” she said.
