McGavin Park is on course to undergo a major £50,000 transformation after plans were backed by Kilwinning residents. 

The plans to revitalise the town beauty spot and upgrade facilities to include an outside gym area, goal posts, two trampolines, a zip slide, picnic benches and tennis courts, were given the thumbs up by residents during a consultation at the weekend.

Hundreds of local groups and individuals from Kilwinning turned out to the Participatory Budgeting event on Saturday, March 3 to get the opportunity to secure much-needed funds – with more than £25,000 up for grabs.

The events were first rolled out in 2016 – across the council’s six localities - and proved hugely successful with a raft of groups receiving significant sums of money.

And this year applicants have once again been invited to bid for up to £1,500 from a total pot of £22,791.

Although McGavin Park isn’t in the running for cash this year, organisers used the event to ask the people of Kilwinning what they thought of the proposals.

And Councillor Donald Reid said the reaction was “incredibly positive”. He said: “The outcome of the consultation was very encouraging. People were incredibly positive about the proposals.

“The people of Kilwinning showed strong support for the plans which at the moment we hope will include a zip slide, tennis courts, trampolines, football goals for informal football games, lighting and an outside gym.

“There was also huge backing for picnic benches. people seem to really want picnic benches so those are also included in the proposals.” “The cost is still being worked out.

“We think it will be somewhere in the region of £40,000 to £50,000. “We are hoping to receive money from North Ayrshire Council and some funding from other awards and grants, but that is all still to be worked out.

“The fact that we have had such positive feedback though is very encouraging indeed.”