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SET FOR NEW SURFACE: The playground on the Whyalla foreshore.
The City of Whyalla will be ensuring a soft landing for our kids as it moves to replace the rubber surface at three playgrounds in the city.
The main foreshore playground (behind the café) and the Ocean Eyre Reserve playground (Johnston Place) will be closed from 9am tomorrow (Wednesday, March 6) to enable work to begin on replacing the existing rubber surfaces. The playground at the Whyalla Child Care Centre is also being assessed for surface replacement.
Assessments by Council found the surface at the shaded foreshore playground was approaching the end of its safety-rated life after 15 years and the open-air Ocean Eyre surface had been degraded by the sun to become unsafe after just four years.
These safety assessments were confirmed for Council by an independent assessor requiring the playgrounds to be closed until the new surfaces are put in place.
City of Whyalla CEO Chris Cowley said Council was aiming to have the two playgrounds back in operation as soon as possible with the project schedule reliant on contractor and material availability.
“Our asset management maintenance program identified these playground surfaces were reaching the wrong end of their safe life,” Mr Cowley said.
“When this was confirmed for us, we had no alternative but to close these playgrounds while the new surface is sourced and put in place.”
SUN DAMAGED SURFACE: The Ocean Eyre Reserve playground will have a new surface installed.
Playgrounds in Whyalla have either rubber or wood chip softfall which is vital when it comes to safety and the prevention of serious injury. The remaining playgrounds in Whyalla have all been assessed as safe with all surfaces and equipment constantly maintained and checked to meet safety requirements.
“We know how disappointing this will be for the kids in Whyalla while this work is completed but public safety is non-negotiable for Council,” Mr Cowley said.
“These two playgrounds could cost up to $150,000 to rip up and replace the surface but this is a small price to pay when it comes to the safety of our children and the public.
“We pride ourselves on having more than 20 playgrounds in Whyalla, that are kept safe and sound, and we invite everyone to explore these different areas while these two areas are out of action.”
For those looking for some playtime at the foreshore, there is new 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.