Christie play site picked

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 535, 10 May 1994, Page 6

Christie play site picked

A site has been chosen for Ohakune' s new playground, adj acent to the Conway Street parking area and toilet block at Christie Park. A public meeting was held last Thursdhy and attended by representatives of the Waimarino Community Board, the Waimarino Plunket Society, the Waimarino Health Watch Committee and council officer Don Sattler. There were no representatives of the group of retailers who petitioned against the siting present at the meeting. The area closer to Goldfinch Street was considered and, although it had advantages of good drainage, shelter and being away from the touch rugby area, was ruled out because it was too close to the Goldfinch Street traffic. The play equipment would take up an area of about 10 square metres, which would not intrude greatly into the open space near the car parking, the meeting heard. Another advantage was that an electricity supply was nearby so that security lighting could easily be provided. Once the site was chosen, the groups discussed play equipment that would be purchased. Some representatives of Plunket present at the meeting expressed concern that the issue of siting was creating friction in the community. WCB chairman Colin Webb told the board later that this was largely due to the retailer's perception that all the Jubilee Park play equipment was to be removed, but that this was not the case. "There is no reason why we cari't add a few pieces of equipment to Jubilee Park as well, for the people passing through town," he told the Board. Board member Ben Goddard said he would like to see Jubilee Park tidied up and improved before a new play area was built, although he was happy with the Christie Park site as well.