Highland Council announces winning contractor for £500k Whin Park refurbishment in Inverness
The winning bid for the £500,000 contract for the upgrade of a popular Inverness play park has been announced today.
Jupiter Play & Leisure Ltd are the winning contractor for the upgrade to the play park at Whin Park after a public consultation found that the overwhelming majority of respondents (77 per cent) favoured their proposal.
According to Highland Council, Whin Park’s transformation will include “a varied range of sustainable play equipment” as well as core facilities and a boating pond.
Works are set to begin in October this year and are expected to be complete in April 2025.
Michael Hoenigmann, managing director of Jupiter Play & Leisure, said: “Jupiter Play & Leisure Ltd is delighted that its design for Whin Park, Inverness has been chosen by the local community.
“The team worked hard to design a project that was unique to the area, offering a wide range of play experiences for all ages and abilities and which could be accessed by all, even in inclement weather.”
He added: “The focus on creating a sense of place along with the use of high-quality materials will ensure that the play area is well used and loved by the community for many years to come.
“The inclusion of the Sona Interactive Dance Arch, the first product of its kind in The Highlands, utilises the latest technology to encourage children and communities to be more active outdoors with a range of games which can be changed regularly offering a new experience every visit.”
The chosen design is expected to closely represent the final installation although some minor changes could be included in the final plan.
Funding for the project comes from a varietu of sources, with £234,988 from the Scottish Government Play Area Funding allocated to the redevelopment of the park by Members of the Inverness, Central, Ness-side, Millburn, and Inverness West Wards.
At the end of 2023, Inverness City Committee Members also agreed to a £150,000 Inverness Common Good Funding application, and a further £100,000 as awarded from the Community Regeneration Fund in February this year.
Chair of Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee, Cllr Graham MacKenzie, said: “This is another significant milestone on the journey to create a first class play offering at Whin Park.
“The winning design, and particularly its elements of inclusivity, are at the heart of the Council's Playpark Strategy. We firmly believe play is for all.”
Leader of Inverness and Area, Cllr Ian Brown, said: “The response to the consultation was overwhelming and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to choose their favourite design.
“Now that the contractor has been announced we are moving ever closer to seeing the chosen design come to life and ultimately witness young people of all abilities enjoying the benefits of play and interaction.”
A special Summer Events Schedule at Whin Park has been announced due to the ongoing works and a reduced play park offering:
·Thu 11 Jul Pop Up Play (CALA) 12pm - 3pm
·Thu 11 Jul Ranger led walk (HLH) TBC
·Fri 12 Jul Social Games (CALA) 1.30pm - 2.30pm
·Thu 18 Jul Pop Up Play (CALA) 12pm - 3pm
·Fri 19 Jul Social Games (CALA) 1.30pm - 2.30pm
·Fri 2 Aug Social Games (CALA) 1.30pm - 2.30pm
·Wed 7 Aug International Playday (CALA) 12pm - 3pm
·Fri 9 Aug Social Games (CALA) 1.30pm - 2.30pm
