Kirkcaldy’s £20million: we need an attractive seaside hub for visitors
The debate over how Kirkcaldy invests its £20million Government funding has sparked many responses - and brought new voices to the table. Anne Barker, from Kirkcaldy, outlines her vision for the waterfront, and how it could be transformed to benefit the town.
Build an attractive seaside hub with a 180-degree glass observatory upstairs overlooking the sea, where the bus garage was demolished.
It would provide an attractive entry to the town for visitors, and be a great new facility for locals, and would face the sea and with seating area.
I feel that this could potentially be major new asset to the town.
This plan would include a number of ideas.
We need a visitor centre along the lines of the Sealife Centre, with a cafe overlooking the beach with a sea themed art wall.
An viewing gallery upstairs with a 180-degree panoramic window with binoculars and a telescope available … an interactive resource room for talks to schools., clubs and the public in the quieter winter months, which could also be rented out to qualified fitness and yoga classes by local instructors. Create a Saturday club for children learning about rock pools, sea life, the fishing trade,shipping heritage, shipwrecks, and beach combing, with guest speakers and guides - perhaps local historians, RSPB, conservation, RSPCA Wildlife, Seal Rescue, and add in leader-led walks along Fife Coastal Path,.
In addition, we need an outdoor activities hub to support wild swimming, canoeing, windsurfing, with qualified instructors, secure storage and a reception - plus outdoor gm rails and equipment for people who want to keep fit. Add in a one bed flat for a caretaker which could become an Air B&B rental.
There is already plenty free parking nearby and its proximity to supermarkets would draw people in.
The site is raised from the beach so there should be no risk of flooding. It could be heated by solar panels which would showcase what is possible locally and could benefit local traders people by raising awareness.
I feel that this could potentially be a big attraction for visitors as well as locals and be a major asset to the town.
> How would you invest Kirkcaldy’s £20million? We welcome submissions from readers on the key topic - please email [email protected]