Work begins on Splash Play Plaza
Construction on Whyalla’s Splash and Play Plaza is beginning this week, with site fencing now installed at the foreshore.
Initial works include site preparation and clearing, ahead of construction of the new water-play area, play box and shelter, play equipment and supporting facilities.
Whyalla City Council General Manager City Growth Jodie Perone said the fencing signalled the official start of the project.
“You may have noticed some activity happening at the foreshore, and we’re pleased to say construction of the Splash and Play Plaza is now beginning!” Ms Perone said.
“It’s exciting to see the site taking shape, and we look forward to keeping the community updated as work progresses.”
Parking near the construction site and existing playground will be reduced while work is underway; however, parking will remain available throughout the foreshore precinct, including alongside the Ada Ryan Gardens.
The Whyalla Waves Café pod has also been relocated in preparation for construction of the new foreshore building, which will incorporate the Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club (WSLSC) and a café. Whyalla Waves Café will now be located further east (near the Visitor Centre pod) and will remain closed for several weeks, with the exact reopening date still to be confirmed – keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.
The Visitor Information Pod at the foreshore will also be temporarily repurposed for use by the WSLSC. This arrangement will allow WSLSC to operate their First Aid and office requirements while the existing building is demolished in preparation for the new facility.
FAQ’s
Why are you starting the project during spring / summer?
It’s taken months of planning and preparation to get to this stage of the project, including selecting a preferred contractor and working with them to finalise construction-ready designs, which has resulted in a later start time than originally planned. Now that everything is ready to go, we’re keen to get it underway as soon as possible, rather than waiting 5-6 months for the spring / summer period to be over. The entire project could also take the best part of 12 months by the time the finishing touches are complete (paving, landscaping etc), meaning it would likely cause disruption during the warmer months regardless of when it kicked off.
Why did the Whyalla Waves Café pod have to be moved?
The foreshore café pod had to be relocated due to the increased footprint of the new foreshore (Surf Life Saving) building. This building was originally intended to be two stories, but the exorbitant cost to ‘build up’ meant we instead had to ‘build out’ and take up more space along the foreshore, thus encroaching on the café pod footprint. Locating it closer to the marina / jetty means we’ll have multiple food options spread across the foreshore, which is something the community has regularly asked for.
When will the Whyalla Waves Café reopen?
The café is expected to reopen in early October. The exact date is still being confirmed and will be announced on the Whyalla Waves Café Facebook page.
Why doesn’t the relocated café pod face the beach?
We’ve learnt the lessons from the former café building, which faced the ocean and hardly had its front doors open due to extreme winds off of the ocean, plus sand / salt water constantly impacting the doors, which continually required maintenance. This is one of the main reasons the café pod has always faced west. It’s also equipped with additional glazing, tinting, shelter and louvres that offset the direct sunlight.
In terms of the new location, it provides a great view of the length of the ocean to the south, Rotary Park to the north and the new splash and play plaza to the west. It also has a glass-walled side that now directly faces the ocean to the south, providing a fantastic view. If the pod was facing the ocean, this side would instead be looking out at the toilets and the road. There’ll also be outdoor dining that will allow people to take in the entire area. And finally, the orientation minimises the loss of car parking, which will be critical once the broader foreshore upgrades are completed over the next 12 months or so and the area becomes an increasing hive of activity.
When will the Splash + Play Plaza be finished?
The project is expected to be completed in mid-2027. We’ll provide updates as the project progresses and we have a better idea of a completion date.
Why is the Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club using the Visitor Centre Pod?
The Visitor Centre Pod will be temporarily repurposed to support the Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club while its existing building is demolished in preparation for the construction of its new facility. This provides the club with a temporary base during the transition. They will also be making use of shipping containers to temporarily store their equipment during the transition.
Will the Visitor Centre Pod still be available for visitors?
At this stage, the pod will only be used by the Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club during this period. Visitors can still access visitor information at the Whyalla Visitor Centre on Lincoln Highway.
Aren’t there more important things to spend money on?
The community has regularly identified the foreshore as being under-utilised (particularly through our foreshore master plan engagement, which saw thousands of locals have their say), highlighting a playground with water features as one of the key facilities they’d like to see. This will offer something unique for children and families of all ages, as well as being a drawcard for tourists, and even families considering relocating.
Most importantly from a financial perspective, we’ve minimised the impact on ratepayers by securing $3.14 million for the project from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program Round 2.
Does that mean we won’t have a café or a playground while these projects are built?
This was the primary reason the café pod was purchased – to enable a café to continue to operate at the foreshore while the new foreshore building was constructed. The café closure is therefore only temporary while the pod is relocated. The existing playground will also remain open to the community until the Splash and Play Plaza is complete.
Why isn't a local contractor doing the work?
Adelaide-based Outside Ideas were chosen to lead the project due to their extensive project experience. Although they will be overseeing the project, they will be engaging as many local contractors and suppliers as possible to maximise the benefits for the Whyalla economy.