THE coming weeks will see more significant and visible changes to Elgin’s Cooper Park as progress is made on its rejuvenation, Moray Council has said.
The project, led by Pat Munro, commenced in February and is being funded through the £18 million Moray received via the UK Government’s levelling up fund.
Aiming to make Cooper Park a ‘vibrant’ and ‘inclusive’ destination for generations to come, the project includes a restoration of the pond, creation of a café and modern accessible restroom facilities, revamp of the historic Grand Lodge, and new recreational additions.
Steady progress is being made around the pond, the council explained. This includes improving pathways and repairs to the pond walls. The repairs are a ‘complex and detailed’ process, made more challenging by the discovery of worse erosion than anticipated once work began and therefore the need to consult with specialist engineers.
The recent removal of the 50-metre bird exclusion zone, which was put in place following advice from ecologists to protect nesting birds, can now be removed as there is no evidence of birds still being there as expected. This will allow work to accelerate in the coming weeks.
New stones are being installed around the pond edge to form the straight boundary of the dipping platform, with the old stones being reused to form the base of the new paths. Two new benches have also been added to the library side of the pond, although these are still within the construction compound.
Progress is also being made on the new toilet facilities. The internal strip-out of the existing building has been completed and foundations for the extension have been poured. Construction of the new walls is expected to begin soon, with scaffolding now in place. An ecological survey has also been completed, confirming no roosting bats were present within the building.
Chair of Moray Council’s economic development & infrastructure services committee, councillor Marc Macrae, said, “Moray Council appreciates the community’s patience while these works are carried out. Cooper Park means so much to so many of us in Moray, and despite unexpected challenges during construction, progress is steaming ahead. I look forward to seeing the improvements giving a more enjoyable experience for residents and visitors. This investment allows us to enhance facilities, improve biodiversity, and create a park that meets the needs of our community now and in the future.”
