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COLOURFUL AND SAFE: Play Matta tiles provide a versatile and cost effective surface for playgrounds.
The City of Whyalla is on track to re-open the playgrounds at Ocean Eyre Reserve and the foreshore this month.
New softfall Play Matta tiles have been ordered for the foreshore playground with wood chip softfall to replace the expired rubber at Ocean Eyre.
The woodchip option was chosen for Ocean Eyre after exposure to the sun drastically reduced the life of that rubber surface. New Play Matta tiles will be laid on top of the existing surface at the foreshore as a more cost efficient solution to this area.
The Ocean Eyre softfall is expected to be completed in the next two weeks while the Play Matta tiles are scheduled to be installed on Monday, May 27. Play Matta tiles will also be laid on top of the existing surface at the Whyalla Child Care Centre’s two playground areas.
Assessments by Council in March found the surface at the shaded foreshore playground and child care centre was approaching the end of its safety-rated life after 15 years while the open-air Ocean Eyre surface had been degraded by the sun to become unsafe after just four years.
ATTRACTIVE: The Play Matta surfacing at an outdoor gym for the City of Karratha.
Council Project Manager Sam Bourne said the Play Matta product, made from recycled products, was the best solution for the foreshore and the child care centre as the one-metre-square tiles provided more flexibility, were more easily replaced than the existing wet-pour surface and met all safety standards.
“These tiles come with a ten-year guarantee,” Sam said.
“Plus, if we do have an area become worn and not safety compliant, these tiles can simply be replaced instead of the having to rip up the whole surface and pour it again as would be required with the existing product.
“They also allow us to have the foreshore play area re-opened sooner as we don’t have to rip up the old surface.”
The woodchip softfall at the Ocean Eyre is also a much-cheaper and longer-lasting option considering the dynamics of that play area.
STRONG AND DURABLE: A Play Matta tile used to lift a vehicle.
Council CEO Chris Cowley said the foreshore required 450sqm of Play Matta tiles and the child care centre needed 120sqm. This adds up to a more than $143,000 in tiles and installation but this was a small price to pay for our children’s safety and was cheaper than the existing surface over the life of the respective products.
“Playgrounds provide healthy activity and much enjoyment for children and families in Whyalla,” Chris said.
“They are vital to our city and just as vital is keeping everyone safe in these areas.
“This money being spent is within our budget and a small price to pay for the wellbeing of our children.”
Thanks to some Council crew ingenuity, the Liberty Swing at the foreshore play area will also be back in action once the new tiles are installed.
The swing was damaged by vandals earlier this year with some clever engineering and manufacturing of parts by the Council works department saving the city money and getting the swing, for those living with a disability, back in safe working order.
In the meantime, for those looking for some playtime at the foreshore, there is a playground just metres away in Ada Ryan Gardens and more equipment at the back of the tennis courts. Those that normally use the Ocean Eyre Reserve can find other playgrounds at Parfitt Street or Coolibah Reserve less than one kilometre away.
PLAY MATTA TILE INFO
* Play Matta tiles are an interlocking plastic tile with a 25mm thickness that is installed as a safety surface and plastic welded together.
* Geomesh sheeting that is UV stabilised is laid under the Play Matta tiles to protect the cushion shock pads.
* Shockpads are made from recycled car tyres and are installed under the geomesh for the impact attenuation. There are 2 types: Shockpad A system which is 70mm thick providing protection for up to 3m fall height and Shockpad B system which is 40mm thick providing protection for up to 1.8m fall height.
* All of the above are installed over a minimum 100mm thick compacted road base.