Outdated playground to get million dollar facelift
An outdated playground on the drive through Coromandel’s gateway could get a million-dollar makeover thanks to philanthropists.
Thames’ Porritt Park playground, on State Highway 25, has been eyed as the perfect location for a destination playground.
With a ‘‘significant’’ amount of funding from an anonymous donor, the concept is expected to be the first of its kind outside a city centre.
Thames Business Association chief executive Sue Lewis-O’Halloran said it’s an exciting development that will blow families away and attract visitors from near and far.
‘‘We want a playground that can be used by everyone, all ages and stages, regardless of their physical abilities or disabilities.’’
The rejuvenation idea came from two philanthropists who approached the business association earlier this year, she said.
The couple – who want to remain anonymous – have ‘‘great connection’’ in the community and have since got others on board, she said.
She wouldn’t disclose how much the group planned to spend on the build but said it would be ‘‘very significant’’, with room for fundraising.
Over in Hamilton, there are eight destination playgrounds costing $1m each, but few have been developed outside city borders.
Porritt Park went through a significant enhancement from 2015 to 2017.
TCDC acting chief executive Bruce Hinson said the council had no intention of funding a destination playground prior to this project.
‘‘The council will be contributing staff time . . . and will take on the operating costs of maintaining the new play equipment and the Changing Places toilet once they are built,’’ Hinson said.
The destination playground has the potential to include water play, flax weaving, barbecues, swings, wheelchair accessible features and a more accessible changing bathroom facility.
A renowned playground designer Philippa Muir has also joined the team, to create a ‘‘bespoke’’ piece, LewisO’Halloran said.
What that might look like, however, is hush-hush.
‘‘I can’t show you it, but I can tell you it’s one of the most exciting things I’ve seen in a playground.
‘‘I have a hunch it will be the focal point of the playground and will address a lot of the issues that the families are already telling me they want.’’
Community engagement will begin shortly at schools around Thames, before opening up to community groups and local businesses.