The Timaru Herald9 Jun 2022Rachael Comer
CPlay party organisers and helpers, back row, from left, Roselyn Fauth, Medinella Fauth, 7, Felicity Brice, 6, Owen (OF) Jackson, Annabelle Fauth, 3, and Chris Fauth. Front, Janine Stewart as Olaf, Alice Brice and Leanne Prendeville.
It’s been a real community effort, and now members of the public are being invited to party at the playground in Timaru.
To acknowledge the support of community members over the past 15-month fundraising period, the team of volunteers behind the destination playground at Caroline Bay, will host a party at the site.
The CPlay Playground Upgrade Project, which aims to build a $2.2 million playground at the Bay, is working towards a facility which is inclusive and accessible for all ages and abilities, and will include a 12-metre-long shipwreck model, a 7m high lighthouse featuring slides and a flying fox, as well as trampolines and swings for wheelchairs users.
In May, the committee had $60,000 left to raise of their $1.1m share for the project, with the Timaru District Council meeting the other half.
CPlay chairperson Owen Jackson said the group’s volunteers have worked ‘‘incredibly hard’’ to make the playground happen and ‘‘now it’s time to say thank you’’.
‘‘The current playground at Caroline Bay has serviced generations of local families for a very long time.
‘‘During the fundraising journey we’ve really felt that passion for a pretty important piece of real estate in the district.
‘‘It really is the ‘jewel in the crown’ and it is continually evolving to expand our health and wellbeing and to create a space that will bring so much joy for so many families for many years to come.’’
Committee members had been humbled by the support of the community, Jackson said.
The party was the committee’s way of thanking the supporters – ‘‘large and small’’.
‘‘We’ve had incredible support from grants providers and large local businesses, from smaller businesses, service clubs, schools, fundraising events and families.
‘‘We’ve even had kids donating pocket money and people from the community offering their time and their expertise.’’
Community organisation Plunket has also donated some hours to the project, with Louise Haley co-ordinating the event on behalf of CPlay, he said.
Haley said the day would be a fun, free family celebration including live music from The
Drama Queens, and magician Josh Grimaldi. There will also be egg and spoon, three-legged and sack races, a barbecue with free sausages, and the Caroline Bay Carnival wheel will be spinning.
Party in the Playground will run from noon to 3pm.