KIDS in Neilston are on a high after the village’s skatepark was finally unveiled.

After years of delays and issues over funding, the new facility at Kingston Playing Fields is up and running.

John Scott, of Neilston Community Council, which first mooted the project, said it is already proving popular.

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He added: “We are very happy to see this happen. It’s been a long time – about four years – and there have been a lot of ups and downs and glitches but it’s a really important project for Neilston.

“In various surveys done by East Renfrewshire Council and the community council, youngsters have said there isn’t enough to do in the village. They wanted an area they could call their own.

“The skatepark has proved really popular so far and is being used by kids of all ages. It’s not quite complete yet, as we have a bench and a shelter also planned to go in.”

Construction work at the skatepark had been set to begin last year after East Renfrewshire Council (ERC) was given a £90,000 grant by Waste Recycling Environment (WREN).

Residents had expected the concrete hub to be completed by July but organisers were unable to get specialist builders on site before a funding deadline passed.

Council chiefs then reapplied to get cash from WREN for the project and pledged £30,000 towards the work.

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Neilston Development Trust was supportive of the scheme, with transport and waste management firm J&M Murdoch also offering its backing.

Mr Scott added: “Those who had been following the erratic process of the project will know that, for various reasons, funding became a major issue.

“The community council is grateful to Councillor Paul O’Kane, who persuaded ERC to provide funds for the long-promised project. It certainly seems to have been money well spent.
“While funds for the shelter and bench are not yet available, the community council is grateful to J&M Murdoch for funding the concrete base for the shelter.”