Yes! Awesome progress!It's such a relief to type that heading, because as many of us know, there can be surprises in construction projects. We are on track to complete the playground in November / December 2023.
We are nearly through the earthworks phase
Back in June, the Timaru District Council capped the storm water drains in the area so the drains can't pop open in a storm event. They have also installed a drain at the end of the flying fox to help mitigate storm water for the wider area. This doesnt mean that the playground wont flood in big rain events, but it will help the water drain away faster as well as preventing ponding in smaller rainfalls.
In June we installed the flying fox equipment, started the rubber surfacing in the floor is lava obstacle course and complete the earthworks at the south end of the playground. By August most of the south end of the playground was finished and signifcant progress has been made at the north end (Stage 2 area):
- Construction progressing and is expected to be completed by November 2023.
- Excavation and backfilling is 90% complete across whole site.
- Stage 1 area including equipment and the Pour’n’Play surface finishes are mostly complete.
- Stage 2 installation of equipment is 75% complete and surfacing has began.
- The shipwreck has been installed and construction of Light house mound is well underway.
- Concrete paths for Stage 2 are 50% complete.
The surfacings for the floor is lava, flying fox, cyclops swing and mouse wheel is complete. The mouse wheel itself is due to arrive next (see green space near end flying fox below). Up the north end, the tuna eel mound is formed ready for concreting capping and surfacing. The equipment through and around the tuna eel is also mostly installed and ready for surface finish.
| | | | Drone photos taken 26th August - Thank you to Jack Rushton
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| | Owen Jackson (OJ) presents Trust Aoraki CEO, Steve McCoy, with recognition certificate for their fantastic support to CPLay.
| We are so grateful to recieve further support from Trust AorakiTrust Aoraki Limited gave $100,000 2021, $30,000 2022, and $130,000 2023. TOTAL $260,000! Trust Aoraki Limited is a not-for-profit organisation that exists for the purpose of raising funds for the community by administering and distributing funds from gaming machines.
| | In June we also received the good news our second grant application to Lotto had been accepted. Thank you Lotto New Zealand for your donations of $240,000 2022 and $35,692 2023.
| | | Ensuring Safe and Fun Playgrounds: The Indispensable Role of Our Expert Safety Auditor
Our safety auditor, Trish, walked through our playground recently to ensure we're ready to open. A tip for others: involve your safety auditor from the start when building a playground. Trish worked with suppliers, movers, and contractors, preventing costly surprises. With her, we ensure safety without sacrificing fun. Trish's expertise is to help us prevent the likelihood of serious injuries like concussions while still allowing for smart risk-taking. Auditing playgrounds nationwide, she's a valuable contributor. Thanks, Trish, for your vital role!
| A More Sustainable Option for the Old Playground Surfacing
The Caroline Bay Playground construction got underway in March 2023, and saw the removal of equipment and surfacing to clear the site for the earthworks to commence in April.
The old rubber playground tiles, which had been in use for many years at Caroline Bay Playground, were removed, tested and then sent an hour down the road to be recycled. Now truckloads of the old rubber surfacing can skip the tip and be recycled at the Numat recycling plant in Oamaru.
| | | | - Caroline Bay Playground construction began in March 2023, clearing the site for earthworks in April.
- Old rubber from the playground was recycled at Numat's Oamaru recycling plant.
- Rubber was shredded and ground into granules, reused in the base of the safety surfaces.
- 400m² of the matting was removed from the Timaru playground, and about 2500m² was being put down.
- CPlay chose recycling for budget and eco-friendliness, aligning with playground's environmental focus.
- Playground's play surface investment prioritizes safety, sustainability, and accessibility.
- Numat's Pour’n’Play® product, 100% recycled rubber, was selected for the surface.
- CPlay volunteer, Francine Spencer emphasized recycling's role in reducing waste and pollution.
- Numat recycling plant's innovative methods support sustainability.
- New playground's matting incorporates recycling.
| | | A Unique Blend of History, Education, and Fun Nearing Completion
| | All aboard: CPlay Volunteer Francine Spencer, Mayor Nigel Bowen and CPlay Volunteer Roselyn Fauth set foot on the new ship installation for the first time. - Photo Connor Haley, Timaru Courier
After seven years of planning, the Caroline Bay playground is taking shape, with CPlay members and volunteers getting a behind-the-scenes look. The expansive space features unique installations reflecting local history, from a maritime-themed ship to a fitness area inspired by the fault line that shaped Mount Horrible. Scheduled to open in November, the playground aims to educate children about both European and Maori culture while providing fun. Timaru Mayor Nigel Bowen praised the community-driven project, emphasizing its value as an educational asset for visitors and locals alike.
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Shipwreck in the fog in August with the mound being constructed to help those using wheel chairs and push chairs to access the top. A concrete pad will be poured and left to cure for a few weeks and then the lighthouse will arrive to be lifted into position.
| | Tuna Eel and Mahika Kai themed area is shaping up nicely as the earthworks and equipment install, and prep work to install the safety surfacing is nearly complete.
- Photos by CPlay Volunteer Roselyn Fauth.
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How our budget is shaping up...
The CPlay Design Team is continuing to meet to work through potential enhancements and match them to funding availability.
Yes! We are in budget for the essentials. And yes, we are still fundraising for some non-essential things that add value to the new playground at Caroline Bay in Timaru, like plants, trees, drinking fountains, shade sails, more seating etc... So, if you have been wanting to donate to the playgound project, we would love to receive your support.
Pop to our website, cplay.co.nz, fill in our donation form, we'll send your your receipt so you can claim 33% back with the IRD. You can donate by making a direct debit. (That way there are no merchant fees clipping the ticket and 100% of your donation goes to CPlay). Thank you.
$3 million has been raised by our volunteers and local community. A massive thank you to our amazing donors, clubs, business, local and national grants and of course our TImaru District Council, who gave a $1.33M contribution to the CPlay Caroline Bay Playground upgrade. Thank you to Aoraki Foundation for receiving donations on our behalf as a registered charity, and helping us do the paperwork. cplay.co.nz/donate
We are loving hearing your feedback and excitement, and are so greaful for your support to the CPlay project. Thanks team.
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