Plunging visitor numbers put Craigtoun Park's future in doubt
The future of Craigtoun Park on the outskirts of St Andrews is again in doubt as visitor numbers and income continue to decline.
Memories: Craigtoun Park has been the scene of countless school and family trips for generations of youngsters.
- By Gordon Berry
- Published in the Courier : 02.11.10
- Published online : 02.11.10 @ 10.43am
Now the search is on for a solution, with one possibility involving the setting up of a trust that might be able to access national funds.
Although Craigtoun Park holds happy memories for generations of locals and visitors, its decline has been relentless as holiday patterns change, and it is unable to offer the high-tech thrills of many modern adventure parks.
Numbers have plunged from 61,000 in 2001 to just 27,381 this year, and ticket revenue has fallen from £146,657 to just under £108,000 in the last five years.
It has also been revealed expenditure of up £3.7 million would be required to bring the park's facilities up to standard, with £1.2 million required for the Category C listed Dutch Village alone.
The park's railway is no longer usable and requires £300,000 for renewal, while cafe costs could be around £640,000.
Money also has to be spent on the Fisherman's Hut, horticultural facilities, indoor play facilities and paths.
The figures have been given to a meeting of the Craigtoun Park Advisory group, which was attended by council officials, councillors and representatives of St Andrews and Cameron community councils.
A report from parks and countryside development manager Peter Howden outlined a number of options, ranging from the status quo to closure and disposal.
The official said there was consultation earlier this year, and both community councils stated the park is a popular local asset that should be retained.
It had been felt, said Mr Howden, the council should invest resources in improving the park, and market it to return it to its "former glory."
"The groups recognised the difficulty in in seeking investment in the current financial climate, and felt that in the past investment could have been much better," he said.
He recognised investment alone is not the answer, and any new approach would have to be based on a robust, affordable and sustainable business plan.
It was also made clear to the park advisory group that informal discussions had taken place between Fife Council and the Old Course Resort Ltd, which owns the empty Craigtoun Hospital and the Duke's Golf Course beside the park.
"There is an interest in the possible acquisition of some or all of Craigtoun Park for future commercial and tourism related activities, but to date no detailed discussions have followed," said Mr Howden.
The chairman of Fife Council's north-east area committee, Andrew Arbuckle, said a realistic approach has to be taken to the park, and he hoped some form of trust arrangement might be the way forward.
"This is an opportunity for those who believe that Craigtoun Park can still play a role to step forward," he said. "There are a number of very successful trusts operating in the area."
02.19pm - 02.11.2010 Stuart Hunt - Dundee, UK Report This
I was there earlier this year and was shocked at how much disrepair the castle section was in. The new play park is nice, but the loss of the mini-golf and a vague putting surface makes it easy to see why numbers are falling. It's clearly been shamefully underfunded for a number of years!
10.48am - 03.11.2010 Dog lover - Dundee, Scotland Report This
The reason my family and I no longer go to Craigton is because they don't allow dogs and when we go out for the day we take our dogs with us. I realise that some dog owners don't clean up after there animals and this may be the reason, but more people would go if our animals could share in the fun.
Add a comment