BARNARD Castle’s mini-golf course will get a revamp in a bid to make it more interesting.
The town council-run course at Scar Top will see three holes given a makeover with added features including a sheep, a river with stone fish and castle gate for players to hit their balls through.
Information boards will be put up next to holes, giving users tips on how to approach each one.
Rotten wood will be replaced under guarantee by Urban Crazy which created the original course.
The work will cost £4,500 and is to be funded with the profits from the course this season.
There were calls from residents for improvements this spring after it was revealed that visitor numbers to the attraction dipped last year, with just 4,787 rounds played compared to 5,471 in 2017 and 7,040 in 2016.
This year’s figures will be released when the season ends after the autumn half term.
The mini-golf course was redeveloped in 2013 and is themed A Journey Through Teesdale.
Dale sculptor Phil Townsend designed and created six carved stone features which adorn the course depicting the Market Cross, The Bowes Museum, Egglestone Abbey, the County Bridge and the castle.
The town council’s resources committee heard last week that there was a need for improvements.
Cllr Richard Child said: “We need to make it a bit more interesting and we need some repairs doing.
“The interpretation boards will show how best to tackle each hole. You may think people should work it out for themselves but this way they can challenge themselves to see if they can do it [follow the instructions].”
Councillors are also investigating the replacement of grass with either gravel or an artificial surface following issues including leaves and wet conditions.
However, one quote for laying down gravel was £9,000, said Cllr Child who felt it was too expensive.
He explained: “The grass looks a bit piebald. It’s a difficult site because leaves come down even in the summer and it’s difficult keeping it looking spruce. The grass struggles a bit. It’s wet to stand on and it gets warn.”
Cllr Sandra Moorhouse’s suggestion of putting down colourful paving will also be considered.
Councillors bemoaned a lack of signage to tourist attractions in Barnard Castle.
Cllr Child said: “It’s a concern. Someone even asked me quite recently: ‘Excuse me, is there actually a castle’?”
Cllr Laura Drew said: “You can drive through town and never see it.”
