Waihola Looking Forward committee members are pleased to have finally begun renovations of the destination playground at the Lake Waihola waterfront.
Project volunteers were on the job to remove the old to make way for the new on Tuesday last week.
The playground, which received a $120,000 grant from the Otago Community Trust, $200,000 from the Clutha District Council, and other fundraising efforts including that from local families and district businesses, is now under way with redevelopment and is looking to be completed by December this year.
Committee member Barbara Earl said the playground renovations had been in the works for more than two years since the ball was set rolling and now was all go.
‘‘For some they may have thought we were all talk, no action, but we’ve been constructing this for a long time now. All areas of inclusivity have been acknowledged and we’re keen to get the playground up and running for everyone, and it’s very timely to get it done now,’’ Mrs Earl said.
‘‘We have different stages of the playground that had originally been left on hold but due to a generous donation from a local resident we’re able to get into our next stage as soon as we’re finished the first stage,’’ she said.
The destination playground has 15 volunteers seeing the development through by pulling out old equipment and making way for new equipment to be put in.
Matting will be used for the ground for safety, and ideas including disability parking and history boards will be added to the renovation.
Mrs Earl said the new playground will attract more locals and passers›by as the redevelopment is completed.
‘‘Waihola has been a great stopping place for many years.
‘‘The new destination playground will likely bring more people through to stop to see the lake and the playground,’’ she said.
‘‘The playground is designed for intergenerational play — not just for young children.
‘‘The playground is designed to be inclusive of all variations of ages.’’
Mrs Earl said planning of the playground resembled a paddle steamer ferry design — much like the paddle steamer gold miners used to reach the likes of Central Otago and Gabriel’s Gully many years ago.
The committee conducted a residential survey where they had a lot of feedback for a flying fox which they yet to include, but Mrs Earl said it would be put in some time in future.
We have different stages of the playground that had originally been left on hold but due to a generous donation from a local resident we’re able to get into our next stage as soon as we’re finished the first stage.
