PAL

Play Area for Leverburgh was formed in November 1996 when it became apparent that Western Isles Council policy would not permit the provision of a solely Council funded play park. Apart from a few pieces of equipment some 10 miles away, the facility which was sought would be the only one for some 151 children under the age of 16 in the South Harris area. A committee of 17 local parents was formed.

Though the geographical spread is quite wide, the aim of the Committee was to site the play area on wasteland beside the largest of the local schools, Leverhulme Memorial. This was central to the village and also easy to access by those children's groups using the school after hours, including the Beaver and Cub Scouts, playgroup and Crusaders.

Apart from a lack of actual facilities, another major concern to the Community was the increase in traffic to the newly opened vehicle ferry in the village. During its first year in operation, some extra 10,000 vehicle passed through the normally quiet village.

This resulted in a highly motivated Committee and with the full backing of the community, not least the local school, they set about the task of raising the very substantial figure of £95,000. Local fundraising took many forms, line dancing classes, fun runs, baking fayres and commemorative mugs. This raised some £5,000, which was needed for future maintenance and insurance once the project was completed.

Harris Development limited provided valuable help and assistance when submitting applications to various funding bodies. Funding was secured from the National Lottery Charities Board, BBC Children in Need, Western Isles Enterprise, Western Isles Island Council, Foundation for Sport and the Arts, Western Isles Health Board and South Harris Community Council.

The funding package was complete by early 1998 and site works began soon after. The local children keenly followed the day by day progress, impatiently suffered the delays due to bad weather and finally saw their dream come true when we opened Play Area Leverburgh on 21st May 1999.

Some landscaping work is still to be completed, but the project has been a great success. The Committee will scale down to one for maintenance shortly but there is an overwhelming sense of achievement knowing that we finally have our much needed play park. Our efforts prove that by working together as a community - GREAT THINGS CAN BE ACHIEVED!