Sciennes Playground: cost, value for money, maintenance

The Senior Leadership Team believe that one of our greatest assets at Sciennes Primary is our sense of community, and we must protect and nurture it at all cost.  Your collaboration over the past two years and in our current endeavours is greatly appreciated.
We heard concern about the cost of the project and whether it represents value for money.

We wish to emphasise
•    the current design is aligned with the school's aspiration to transform some of our stretch of asphalt to a friendly, natural world space that enriches learning and play across all ages and groups.  Different aspirations may have cost less.
•    we are getting a lot for our money: a wonderful landscape for learning, introducing loose parts play, and creating an extension to the playground in the Sciennes Road linear park
•    previous generous contributions to the playground, such as the traversing wall, will be incorporated sensitively in the final design. The amphitheatre is already a significant feature. Picnic tables and benches will still feature.
•    value added. If our SportScotland application is successful, we get to spend £2 for every £1 we raise
•    we view this money as being spent on learning, teaching, health and well-being: it is not just a playground
•    to address concern the project could be self-indulgent, perhaps we want to increase our charitable efforts. However, it should be noted that our community already generously supports many charitable organisations and events throughout the year, most recently donating almost £1000 to Comic Relief.

We heard concerns about durability and maintenance costs.

We learned
•    from investing time meeting various Edinburgh City Council departments, how they can support us and how we can work with them
•    the Council Building & Programme Team is putting in place an annual inspection process for all playground equipment/facilities for a nominal fee
•    costs for repairs or remedial works, and replacement of materials for Loose Parts Play, will be met by the School and Parent Council may be asked to contribute.
•   annual maintenance costs may be up to £1500.
•    responsibility for inspection and care of trees will remain with the City Council
•    the costings have a built in safety net for unforeseen expenses and are for high quality, durable materials with warranties.


You asked, "What is Plan B if we do not secure the SportScotland funding?"

•    We will receive a decision about the matched funding bid in the next few weeks.
•    If there is a funding shortfall, our priority will be our own playground area
•    By September 2015, some elements will have been implemented in our playground.
We appreciate your fundraising efforts to date and we still have time to increase funds further.

We hope that you are able to attend the Playground Consultation Evening on Thursday 19th 6pm-7pm and if you are unable to attend in person, please feel welcome to email your views to admin@sciennes.edin.sch.uk by Friday 20th March.

Breakdown of cost plan
67%  Playground landscaping
17%  Sciennes Road linear park
2%     Store
9%     Preliminaries
4%     Contingencies