Press Release
New play area for Quoys
A new play area that has all its equipment chosen by local children has just been opened at Quoys in Lerwick.
Speaking after a small opening ceremony yesterday afternoon (Thursday), the Council’s Leisure Facilities Officer, Magnus Malcolmson said “I think that this project has been a really good example of people working together. We asked the local community for their thoughts when we were initially designing this play area.Rather than leaving it to parents to choose the equipment,we asked their bairns,so the final selection was a direct result of what they said they wanted. Throughout the project we have also worked very closely with Hjaltland Housing Association who arranged and financed the installation of the equipment and safety surfacing.”
As well as things you’d expect to find in a play park such as a climbing frame and slide, this play area has elephant and motorbike springers, a nest swing and a springy see-saw.
Jim Henry, Councillor for the area was full of smiles at the opening and said “I’m really pleased to see the bairns’ reaction today. This is a much-needed facility as a lot of young families have moved into new housing in the area. From what I’ve seen today, I’m sure that this will be very popular with bairns for years to come”.
Local mum Lynne Preacher said "We're all delighted to see this play area open and it gives wir bairns a fine, safe place to play now. It looks brilliant and just in time for the summer holidays too!"
The project, which was agreed by Councillors in December last year, took just over two months to complete. This latest facility brings the total number of play areas in Shetland to 75, with 22 of those in school grounds. Over the past five years the Council has decommissioned 11 play areas across Shetland as part of efforts to reduce costs.