Managers of Waverley Garden’s Shopping Centre are currently searching for a new community home for one of their much loved children’s playgrounds.
The indoor playground which features two slides, a tic-tac-toe panel, foam climbing ramp, protective netting and a stationary car with an interactive steering wheel, is on offer by Waverley Gardens Centre Manager Belinda Donnelly and Marketing Manager Jodie-Lee Murphy who believe the playground could be of great benefit to a local charity or community group.
“We just feel that the people who shop here are so much a part of the community and we value them coming here every day, so instead of selling the playground we thought it would be a great opportunity to provide play equipment to a local group or charity that actually needs it,” Ms Donnelly said.
“And it’s in good working use so we’d just rather see somebody from our community get enjoyment out of it.”
The playground, which was installed in the food court of Waverley Garden’s Shopping Centre four years ago, was a hit among children aged up to four years old.
And with the possibility of it being re-installed within the community, Ms Murphy said its rehoming is an opportunity to further extend its enjoyment for those who may have gone without.
“Commercial playground and play equipment itself is really very expensive, which is why a lot of groups or charities don’t have playgrounds,” Ms Murphy said.
“So something like this could really be on someone’s wish list in our community.”
The playground was removed in 2016 to make way for a new custom built kids’ play space, which came as an addition to the centre’s ambience upgrades.
With yet another custom built playground commencing installation and both parents’ rooms beginning renovations at the end of the week, Ms Murphy said the refurbishments will continue to keep families in the community at the forefront of Waverley Garden’s purpose.
“A lot of the bigger shopping centres don’t have playgrounds anymore … where parents or carers can relax with a coffee while the kids have some fun, and I think having two playgrounds is a major point of difference at Waverley Gardens.”
Any community groups, not for profit organisations or charity groups that are interested in the playground are invited to contact Waverley Gardens at customerservice@waverleygardens.com.au.