C-Play Playground Upgrade Project committee members, from left, Owen 'OJ' Jackson, Roselyn Fauth, and Leanne Prendeville with a box of public feedback surveys for the proposed $1.5million Caroline Bay playground upgrade.

A major upgrade of Caroline Bay's popular playground is progressing with an Auckland-based company selected to build a $1.5million playground and plans for a $500,000 bike skills park awaiting funding...

Esther Ashby-Coventry Stuff Timaru Herald

C-Play Playground Upgrade Project committee members, from left, Owen 'OJ' Jackson, Roselyn Fauth, and Leanne Prendeville with a box of public feedback surveys for the proposed $1.5million Caroline Bay playground upgrade.

A major upgrade of Caroline Bay's popular playground is progressing with an Auckland-based company selected to build a $1.5million playground and plans for a $500,000 bike skills park awaiting funding.

C-Play Playground Upgrade Project committee member Roselyn Fauth said Whanganui company Playground Centre met the requirements for a quality playground and will project manage, supply and install the upgrade.

Fauth​ said there was a list of considerations which were scored and ticked off, such as it being cohesive with what already existed.

Over the past year the committee had interviewed a number of potential providers who had submitted concepts.

Committee members will continue to consult and seek feedback from the public before finalising the plan, she said

"We want to make sure we have a final design fit for community purpose."

Ensuring wheelchair users could easily access some of the equipment, that it appealed to older children and it told some of Timaru's history were all important, she said.

"It has been a big process so far ... It will be a key asset for Timaru."

The money to purchase the playground would be raised independently so it would not be a burden on the ratepayer, she said. The Timaru District Council had agreed to maintain it but the committee was waiting to get final endorsement from the council, Fauth said.

The Timaru Suburban Lions club's Bike Skills Park plans are now complete and the club has received $75,000 worth of funding from the Mid and South Canterbury Community Trust and $30,000 from Trust Aoraki to put towards it. Club president Bruce Fraser said once they had secured the total $500,000 needed the first sod would be turned.

"We would like to get it finished by the end of the year," Fraser said.

The park, to be located on the western side of the Bay adjacent to the skate park, will include a realistic roadway where children can learn to ride on a road without the risks.

"It will have a roundabout, stop and give way signs, one lanes and dual carriageway. It will be educational and for fun."

He said it was another opportunity to put something on the Bay for the public to use.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/119932143/caroline-bay-playground-upgrade-progresses