Leopold Memorial Reserve gets new playground

THE $1.7 million redevelopment of the Leopold Tennis Pavilion is on track for completion in August with the milestone construction of a new playground.

The new playground features colours chosen to blend with the surrounding environment and has been installed at the south end of the Leopold Memorial Reserve, located on Melaluka Road.

The site for the playground, which maintains proximity to the existing sporting club rooms, was determined through consultation with users of the reserve.

City of Greater Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan celebrated the installation of the playground.

“The Leopold Memorial Reserve is not only used by local tennis enthusiasts, but it also serves local families too,” he said.

“So, it is wonderful to see that the new playground has been installed and I trust it will be well used by the community for years to come.”

The existing playground equipment will be donated to Angeles, a city in the Philippines, through the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds (RORP) program.

The RORP program collects unwanted playgrounds from schools and councils and reinstalls them in disadvantaged communities overseas.

Since its inception, more than two hundred playgrounds have been donated to developing countries as part of the program, including Fiji, Timor Leste and India.

Bellarine Ward councillor Jim Mason said ensuring there was adequate access to open spaces, play spaces and parks across the ward was a high priority.

“Small local playgrounds play a vital role in fostering community cohesion and providing safe spaces for children to play, explore and interact with their peers.

“These types of playgrounds at reserve not only promote physical activity and healthy development, but also serve as gathering points for families.”

Work at the reserve, which started late last year, will continue on the Leopold Tennis Pavilion redevelopment project.

Funded by both the city and the Victorian government, the new facility will include a social space, kiosk, kitchen, female-friendly club amenities and accessible public toilets.

An accessible car bay will also be constructed.

While the redevelopment is in progress, the existing public toilet facilities at the site will remain open for public use and will be demolished when works are completed.