Plans to include the private sector in a £700,000 upgrade of the South Inch park facilities have attracted no interest after a year.
It had been hoped a company would take over a section of the park’s play area and operate alongside Perth and Kinross Council.
A ”soft market-testing” document was circulated in January last year in a bid to drum-up interest but the response was described as ”limited” by a Perth and Kinross Council spokesman. It is thought current economic conditions may have hindered potential investment.
Work has already begun on the park, with the boating pond targeted in phase one during the summer, as the council seeks to make it a destination for visitors.
The council spokesman confirmed the authority will press on with phase two this year despite the lack of private investment.
He said: ”As part of the proposals to upgrade the South Inch, the council were keen to see if the private sector would be interested in developing the former crazy golf, trampoline and boating facilities with possible links to the cafe and pavilion.
”Unfortunately, there has been very limited interest from the private sector from the soft market-testing which has been done, which is perhaps understandable given the current economic climate.
”Whilst it would have been good to have the private sector involved to provide the additional facilities, the council will still proceed with phase two of the proposed upgrade during 2012 to provide a new children’s play area, path and signage works and re-landscaping of the old facilities area.
”The proposals will be subject to public consultation and the council will remain supportive of any opportunities which arise during the design process to involve local businesses, including social enterprise companies, in providing enhanced facilities on the South Inch.”
The existing bowling greens and football pitches are set to be developed. The tract of land between the bowling greens and boating pond currently occupied by little-used trampolines and crazy golf had been offered up for new leisure use, with water or sand play, boating or rafting, climbing, crazy golf or a cafe as possible uses mooted.
Protected by the flood wall, the area already has a shop building and is close to the proposed new council-run amenities. It would have been leased out to interested parties.
Timber decks, viewing platforms and planting have been added to the boating pond.
Phase two will improve walkways and park entrances, upgrade the children’s play area to a premier facility and renew old signs and furniture.