THE DREAM of a new play facility became reality for a local nursery 10 years ago after more than a year of campaigning finally paid off.

Arthurlie Family Centre in Barrhead was presented with a cheque for £10,000 from Awards for All, a community grant aiming to help people take part in art, sport, heritage, community activities and projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community.

The nursery was one of few to gain the maximum payout from the community grants scheme in 2008. The nursery had been fundraising for cash to build the low-level play area to encourage youngsters to become more active while having fun at the same time.

They had been encouraging residents and staff to give generously to reach their £10,000 target to make the plan a reality for the adventurous kids. The project had been in the pipeline since the tiny tots’ original play area was destroyed in 2007 by mindless vandals.

But thanks to Awards for All, they were able to get the project underway and let the fun begin. The backing from the community grant came as a welcome boost for the facility and everyone involved in the project was grateful to them for their help.

Head teacher at the nursery Rosamund Roberts said: “We’re delighted to receive this award which will allow us to go ahead with the play equipment and a great deal of the work in applying for the award was done by Lisa Reid so that parent power has played its part in winning this cash. The play equipment will mean that we can expand play in the curriculum to benefit of all of our pupils.”