Team Hamish celebrate breakthrough with Nairn plans after Highland Council backing
A NAIRN family who lost their eight-year-old to cancer are celebrating a huge breakthrough in moves to create a new Splash Pad playpark in his memory.
Mum and dad Susan and Sam Hey, with daughter Lily, launched an incredible fundraising drive topping £170,000 after little Hamish died in 2017.
Highland Council has now given planning approval for the facility, with work set to begin in January.
The waterfront development will replace the existing paddling pool near the town’s west beach.
As well as cash raised through the huge Team Hamish community effort, the playpark will be funded jointly funded by Nairn Common Good Fund and the local authority.
With completion due in spring 2020, the Splash Pad will be open to children and families from April to October.
The plan is to create a modern, high quality, outdoor interactive play facility which is the first of its kind in the Highlands.
The council’s executive chief officer Malcolm MacLeod said: “Highland Council is delighted to move forward with this project.
“There has been significant consultation over recent years to think about how the community wants to progress and develop the links area for Nairn.
“This is the first phase of the links development. It will reinvigorate the area and hopefully attract more people and visitors. It is very pleasing that we are able to work together to deliver this for the people of Nairn.”
Mr Hey said: “Susan and I are thrilled that this project is being delivered.
“We have received so much support from the Nairn community over the last few years and people have been incredibly generous in contributing money towards developing something positive on the links.
“We are really pleased that people can see where their money is going and what a fantastic facility this will be for the whole community.”
A Splash Pad features a range of above-ground play structures and flush in-ground sprays, designed to provide an exciting display and deliver a variety of wet-play experiences for all ages.
Related articles:
- Team Hamish fundraiser Lily Hey from Nairn rubs shoulders with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
- Hollywood megastar Chris Hemsworth famed for appearances as Thor in the Avengers films as well as Ghostbusters has given his backing to the Team Hamish campaign in Nairn
- Crowds go on the run in Nairn to show love for Hamish
