A temporary indoor playground has opened at the Orange Indoor Tennis Centre to provide a place for children to play during the colder months.
Councillors voted to explore options for an indoor play centre at the April 5 Council meeting. Council resolved to secure a site for the facility, hire or purchase play equipment and conduct an expression of interest process for the operation of the site.
Orange Mayor Jason Hamling said the need for more indoor play facilities emerged as a common theme during recent community consultation to develop the Community Strategic Plan.
LET’S PLAY: Orange City Council Sport and Recreation Committee chair, Cr Tammy Greenhalgh checks out the new inflatable obstacle course at the indoor playground with Cooper Morrison (left) and Fergus Hardy (right).
“Many of the councillors also heard from young families during the election about the need for an indoor playground,” Cr Hamling said.
“Given the winter we are having, I’m sure there will be strong demand for it from local families, especially as we are now in the winter school holidays.”
Council secured play equipment including a jungle-themed play structure, soft-play items, ball pit, inflatable obstacle course and coin-operated kids rides, suitable for children aged from preschool to primary school.
Chris Besgrove of the Orange Indoor Tennis Centre came on board to provide a space for the playground and to manage the day-to-day operation of the site.
Opening hours will be 9.30 to 3pm Sunday to Friday and 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday. Entry costs $10 per child for two hours. There is no need to book.
There will be café providing coffee, tea and cold drinks, hot chips, toasted sandwiches, fish and chips, cakes, lollies and popcorn. Please do not bring your own food and drinks.
Orange City Council’s Sport and Recreation Committee Chair Tammy Greenhalgh encouraged families from across Orange and district to give it a go.
“I’m pleased to see this facility is available and I look forward to seeing how well it is embraced by local families over the next couple of months,” Cr Greenhalgh said.
“The new playground is expected to be very popular, particularly at the beginning, so I urge everyone to be patient as the operators get it off the ground and work out any teething problems.”
The indoor playground is expected to be open at least until the end of winter. The Orange Indoor Tennis Centre is located at 9 Palmer Street, behind the Orange Function Centre.
FUN TIMES: Cooper and Patrick Morrison at the indoor playground.
