Lottery boost for Hawick park

The project is expected to start in the summer of 2013 and be complete by spring 2018. Credit: ITV Border

Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick looks set to get amajor facelift thanks to a £2.5 million grant from the HeritageLottery Fund.

The money will be available if ScottishBorders Council agrees to matched funding.

The plan is to create an 'Outdoor Heart ofHawick' by replacing the former bandstand and introducing a new play park, caféand footbridge.

The project is expected to start in the summerof 2013 and be complete by spring 2018.

It is hoped the new bandstand can serve as anevent space for local bands and film screenings.

The park hosts more than 239,000 each year andit is anticipated that the improvements will increase visitors to the town.