These have emerged as the main themes from a local survey carried out by consultant Nick Wright, who is helping draw up an action plan for the town.
Other suggestions mooted by the 130 residents who responded include better public transport, less apathy, more community events, a leisure centre, a speed limit at the cemetery, improved roundabouts and pothole fixing, developing McJerrow Park and town walks.
About 100 community leaders, business people, traders, students and townsfolk packed the town hall on Tuesday night to hear more about the future vision for Lockerbie.
Primary school pupils presented their wish lists and expressed a desire to clean up empty sites including the old cheese factory, the former post office, land behind the ice rink and the old academy site.
They described dreams of shopping malls with food courts, arcades and entertainment complexes; a leisure centre with pool, gym, spa, mini golf and archery; more high street names in the town; and a bigger and better new park with picnic areas, crazy golf and play equipment.
Praising their efforts, Mr Wright said: “There’s lots of stuff in there for existing derelict sites. They have been very imaginative and forward thinking.”
Meanwhile, the academy students were more restrained in their suggestions, asking for the fair to come to town, more after school activities and better access to school facilities.
Commenting, Mr Wright said: “These are a lot of things that could happen without too much work.”
He also gathered public feedback on the night on five key themes: High Street and parking, health and wellbeing, green spaces, community action, and houses, jobs and services.
The Lockerbie steering group will now meet next Monday to go through the ideas raised and decide which ones to progress.
Mr Wright said: “We will work out which projects might make the most difference and have the most energy behind them.
“In a couple of months we will have a plan.”
And steering group member Katie Nairn added: “There’s a whole lot going for the town. A bit of work and easy fixes will make it better.”
PICTURED ABOVE: Lockerbie steering group members, left to right: Richard Smith, Katie Nairn, Catherine Lacey, Doreen Jenkins, consultant Nick Wright and Ian McLatchie
