People in Falmouth are being asked what they would to spend a large pot of money on to improve a town recreation ground.

Falmouth Town Council says it has £20,000 to spend on improving the Trescobeas Recreation area.

It has launched a survey today asking residents what they would want to spend the money on and have offered a number of options including repairing the BMX track but £20,000 would not cover a full repair.

"As you can see, the full £20k would only cover either resurfacing and maintaining the existing track, or taking it back to it’s original state," says the council.

"A more sophisticated and longer lasting surfaced track would cost in the region of £30-50k, so significant fundraising would be required which of course has a time implication."

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Other options include investing in the play area, invest in creating a social / picnic area, invest in creating a space for ball sports or put in pathways, community orchard or garden.

The other option is don’t do anything – wait, investigate raising additional funds with a view to creating a bike track with longevity.

 

The track became so popular it wore out. Picture David Saunby

The track became so popular it wore out. Picture David Saunby

 

Benches would cost £1,200 each plus £200 for concrete base; basketball hoops £1,500 each plus installation £500, play equipment – ranges from £1,500 to £15,000.

Lanching the survey, which you can take here, the council said: "We have a pot of money to make improvements to the Trescobeas recreation area, and we want to make sure this is done with YOUR input. Please take two minutes to complete the survey."

The survey closes at midday on Friday, March 25.

The bike track was originally built by a private contractor in 2016 on behalf of Falmouth Town Council and became so popular the track wore out.

The council carried out its own repairs using concrete which broke up making the track unusable.

Ward Cllr David Saunby, who was the catalyst behind getting the track installed, wants it to be completely restored as he says as the council broke it they should fix it.

But back in 2020 he was told by the town's financial officer Ruth Thomas that the budget did not allow the track to be resurfaced until year two of a four year budget plan taking it to this year.

Cllr Saunby told the Packet: "The Trescobeas Pump Track has been a big hit over the years, especially with the younger ones, and in my personal opinion, needs to be re-instated first, before moving on to other things required in the park.

"Now the consultation is out, it's now up to the people to decide what their priorities would be."