Once seen as a jewel in Fife’s crown, huge uncertainty now surrounds the future of Craigtoun Country Park.
Much loved by generations of youngsters, the park was placed in the firing line as Fife Council struggles to make multi-million pound savings.
The local authority predicts that £50,000 could be saved by removing the admission fee. Seven full-time equivalent posts are likely to be axed as a result.
The bid to balance the books is set to have a major impact on the range of attractions offered at the venue.
Tens of thousands of people descend on the park every year, with a miniature railway and boating pond among the most popular features. Two miles outside St Andrews, the 16.5-hectare site also hosts a Dutch village, putting greens, crazy golf, a cafe and children’s play area.
Despite its popularity, there has been an alarming decline in visitor numbers over recent years — while 65,000 flocked through the gates in 2001, just 29,500 visited in 2008.
Proposals to remove an entrance fee may seem initially attractive but there are clearly fears over the impact this could have on the standard of facilities.
Some claim the park has been in a state of “terminal decline” for years.
“Craigtoun has been neglected for some time now and it has been very sad to witness,” said one resident. “I took my children and then my grandchildren to the park and the facilities have certainly deteriorated over the years. Doing away with an entrance fee may well attract more people but how will the attractions be funded?Upsetting”I fear this is the beginning of the end for Craigtoun, which is very upsetting.”
Fife Council insist “future options” are being discussed and that a “sustainable long-term future” is still possible. However the loss of staff — and revenue from an entrance fee — will inevitably have an impact on the attractions offered.
Fife Council area service manager Kate Hughes said organisations were being urged to play a part in developing a blueprint for Craigtoun’s future.
“We are currently working with representatives of both St Andrews and Cameron community councils to look at alternative models of running and managing the park,” she said. “However this is in the very early discussion stages.”
Ms Hughes confirmed the number of attractions would be slashed following the cutbacks.
“Several of the attractions in the park require significant capital investment, which would be extremely difficult to deliver in the current economic climate,” she said. “Therefore, the decision has been taken to withdraw the attractions to the public.”
It is envisaged that axed staff will be “redeployed” to alternative duties.
“The gate fee covered the cost of employing seasonal staff to help with the attractions, so these posts will no longer be needed,” Ms Hughes said.
“The savings being made represent the permanent staff employed who will now be redeployed in the area as required to do alternative duties.”