Contractors have broken ground as the community led Otematata Playground revamp enters the construction phase.

The Otematata Residents Association is one of only 18 groups nationwide chosen to be a part of the Department of Internal Affairs funded Community Led Development Programme, after it applied in 2019.

Association deputy chairman Richard Paton said they were thrilled to be part of the programme. 

“Acceptance wasn’t a sure thing. We needed to provide robust financials and a clear direction.”

A purely community-run project, the direction was provided by a detailed residents’ survey which was professionally undertaken with an independent analysis.

This project has been a labour of love between the association and the Otematata Community Led Development Programme.

This, alongside other projects, was expected to take five years to complete, and the groups were thrilled to begin work on the playground after 3.5 years of planning and research.

“This has been a real team effort,” Richard said. 

“We have all been working toward a collective goal, it is a real reflection of the commitment people have to Otematata.”

Baxter Design from Queenstown has worked on the planning with the Waitaki District Council and the Queenstown/Wanaka-based TSA Group will project manage the works.

The new playground will include sun protection, matting, a web climber, tunnel slide, climbing wall, and sputnik. 

There will also be accessibility options to provide more access for the whole community. Two shelters and a community BBQ will be included, and topographical changes include rolling mounds and places to sit, which aim to link the entire project. 

Extensive plantings will include hebes and Norwegian maples with an aim to enhance the existing trees on site. An irrigation system has also been incorporated into the plan.

Association chairman Steve Dalley said the project was all about beautification and enhancement rather than change.

“We can’t wait to see and enjoy the final result.”

Richard said the project had taken a lot of commitment, but it was a privilege to be a part of it.

“The DIA have also been a huge support. They have provided encouragement, enthusiasm, and support every step of the way.”

For safety reasons, the playground will be fenced off for around a month as the works begin at the playground. These are a smaller part of the wider project with works for that scheduled to begin in July.