‘Fantastic addition to our community’: A new playground opens

A new play area has opened in a North Lanarkshire village.

The Newmains community celebrated the official launch of the facility which is next to Newmains & St Brigid’s Community Hub on 20th May.

The ceremony was attended by over 50 villagers, including primary and nursery children and the wider community.

The project was developed by the community partnership team with Newmains and District Community Council, along with Lena and Nathan Dzigda from St Brigid’s Primary School, who designed the play area sign after winning the Design-a-Sign competition, and Callan McLaughlan from Newmains Primary School who contributed to the naming of the park.

The play area has a castle-themed climbing unit, a climbing unit for toddlers, an accessible roundabout and a trampoline, a range of swings including a basket swing and a cable car.

The unit has been fitted with new benches to create a seating area.

Newmains Gala Queen Keris Conner performed the official opening.

Councilor Louise Roarty, deputy leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “Well done to these children for doing such a great job ensuring the artwork reflects the theme of the play area.

“We are sure that the children and young people of Newmains will enjoy using this facility for many years to come.

“This new play area is a fantastic addition to our community. It’s great to see children’s ideas come to life and provide a space where they can play and make memories.”

The project is fully funded by the Local Development Program with funding of £175,000.

Councilor Kenneth Stevenson, Convenor of Communities, said: “The collaborative effort between the schools, the community council and the community partnership team has resulted in a play area that will be valued by the community.

“It’s a testament to what we can achieve when everyone works together.”