Agenda item

A report by the Play and Physical Activity Officer.

The Play and Physical Activity Officer presented the report confirming it was the outcomes of the member working group, which had been convened following the 2022 tour of BTAC open spaces and play facilities.

The group had identified four play areas for improvement with indicative identified by various suppliers.  However, committee were reassured that should they agree the recommendations, all equipment and works would be subject to a full tendering process and standard procurement rules and a final report would be tabled back through committee.

Central Park Boston:

§  Remove all play equipment on toddler side play area as far as the Spider net,

§  Take up surfacing of that area, level area, lay turf to that area and install 4 picnic benches on grass area.

§  Re-instate the giraffe, car and donkey onto small grass area

§  Install new equipment of Water Lilies four way springer and a double horse springer or similar.

§  Install on opposite side of play area a Junior Fairy Tale unit on grass area or similar

§  Remove 5 benches running along pathway and concrete flags, make good ground and install 3 steel benches.

§  Install new outdoor gym equipment

Members were advised that the outdoor gym equipment had already been installed at Central Park and as such did not form part of the refurbishment noted above.

St Johns Boston:

• Install a 3 piece section ship comprising of Stern, Crow’s nest and Bow or similar.
• NB Boston Big Local have granted £25,000 towards this project

Garfit’s Lane Boston:

• Install two concrete table tennis tables onto new tarmac area

This facility being funded by Section 106 monies of £14,000.

Woodville Rd Boston:

• Replacement of Pirate Ship or similar

Total indicative costs for all refurbishments was £159,541 with funding from Boston Big Local and Section 106 confirmed at £39,000 resulting in a potential cost to BTAC of £120,541.  Members were advised that the Gym Equipment was not included in the costing as that budget had been previously agreed.  Examples of the various equipment were referenced with comparable system identified for the 3 piece section ship for St. Johns.

Members voiced their support of all the replacement facilities and works needed to improve the sites. 

Concern noted the possibility of a repetition of vandalism to the replacement of the Galleon at Woodville Road, but there was overall support and agreement of the need to replace the initial damaged facility as soon as possible.   Should further vandalism arise then consideration would need to be given to any further replacement.  CCTV coverage on the site was questioned and it was noted that night-time coverage was never to the quality of daytime coverage.  One suggestion raised which was agreed as a possible deterrent was to have either floodlights or timer lighting on the facility triggered by a presence on the site.

There was support of the proposals for Central Park and recognition of the reasons for leaving the site of the play area where it was, with an ease of access to both toilets and the catering facility.  The proposal for two chicane gates at the site was agreed as a way forward to combat cyclists from riding through the area.  Members also agreed the removal of facilities from under the overhanging trees and supported the trimming of the trees and agreed the benefits of installing 3 new steel benches which were easier to keep clean.  They further supported the re-use of the existing the giraffe, car and donkey onto small grass area.

On viewing a comparable 3 piece section ship for the St. Johns site members agreed it would suit the site well.

RESOLVED:

That the Play and Physical Activity Officer be tasked to take the proposals for all four sites forward and undertake a full tendering process for the provision of the facilities identified and return a full report back to committee for final agreement.