Seven years since its initial conception, CPlay members and volunteers this week stepped behind the security fence at Caroline Bay for the first time to see how the new multimilliondollar playground was taking shape.
CPlay chairman Owen Jackson said it was special seeing things come to fruition.
‘‘You really realise the scope and scale of the playground, it’s such a big space.’’
Construction on the playground began in March and has been steadily progressing since then. Mr Jackson was positive the new space would be open before the Christmas holidays.
‘‘All indications are that we are on track. The plan originally was to open Labour Weekend but at this stage it’s looking more like the start of November.’’
Installations such as a large bespoke ship designed to represent the region’s rich maritime history were on full display, as well as several other play areas that gave a nod to the history of Timaru and the surrounding area.
The playground also includes a fitness area themed around the fault line that helped create Mount Horrible, a double cyclops swing representing the Alexandra lifeboat and a flying fox area dedicated to the memory of the rocket brigade volunteer groups who saved over 100 lives in our seas.
Arowhenua representative and volunteer Francine Spencer helped design a large taniwha which can be seen sprawling underneath the flying fox. She said it was amazing to see how things were progressing and she could not wait for children to be able to learn the stories and be exposed to both European and Ma ¯ori culture.
Timaru mayor Nigel Bowen called the playground a real asset for Timaru and its visitors.
‘‘It’s impressive, it’s a real community-driven project and it’s shown a model that can work.’’
Mr Jackson said he could not wait for people to see the final project.
‘‘We didn’t want to have a playground just like any other playground, every aspect is part of our story.
‘‘I’d like to imagine a bus full of children pulling up . . .and enjoying the fun aspect but also being able to learn stuff about where they came from, where we are now and where we are going in the future.’’
