Bay playground upgrade nears

A major upgrade of Caroline Bay’s playground is progressing with an Auckland-based company selected to build a $1.5 million facility and plans for a $500,000 bike skills park awaiting funding.

C-Play Playground Upgrade Project committee member Roselyn Fauth said Auckland company Playground Centre will project manage, supply and install the upgrade.

Over the The committee had interviewed a number of potential providers who had submitted concepts.

Committee members will continue to consult and seek feedback from the public before finalising the plan, she said.

‘‘We want to make sure we have a final design fit for community purpose.’’

Ensuring wheelchair users could easily access some of the equipment, that it appealed to older children and it told some of Timaru’s history were all important, she said.

Fundraising would ensure it would not be a burden on the ratepayer, she said. The Timaru District Council had agreed to maintain it but the committee was waiting to get final endorsement from the council, Fauth said.

The Timaru Suburban Lions club’s Bike Skills Park plans are now complete and the club has received $75,000 funding from the Mid and South Canterbury Community Trust and $30,000 from Trust Aoraki to put towards it.

Club president Bruce Fraser said once they had secured the $500,000 needed the first sod would be turned.

‘‘We would like to get it finished by the end of the year,’’ Fraser said.

The park, to be located on the western side of the Bay adjacent to the skate park, will include a realistic roadway where children can learn to ride on a road without the risks.

‘‘It will have a roundabout, stop and give way signs, one lanes and dual carriageway. It will be educational and for fun.’’

Fraser said it was another opportunity to put something on the Bay for the public to use.