Playground? Tell him he’s dreaming: No playground planned or asked for at Ashburton’s new library and civic centre

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

A playground at Baring Square East was never asked for Ashburton, council chief executive Hamish Riach says.

Riach was responding to claims from a member of the community that suggested councillors had removed a playground to cut costs from the redevelopment of Baring Square East.

The square is being upgraded alongside the $56.75 million new library and civic building, Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka.

“Since consultation first commenced on the building in 2016-17, the community has never signalled outdoor play equipment on its wish list for this area,” Riach said.

“[A playground] was never part of the original plans and not raised in community feedback.”

The consultation document included a summary of the plan to rejuvenate Baring Square East – a place that has never featured a playground, and the council didn’t receive any request to add one, so they didn’t.

Riach said the square upgrade will include a one-way slow street, a civic plaza area, raising the water feature, upgrading seats and planting, and retaining existing parts of the square such as the clock tower.

“The area was already used for some community events and council wanted to support more use of the public space.

“The aim was to retain well-established features and build on the legacy of the past, with an eye to the future.”

The plan retains grass areas for “passive recreation and gathering” and there will be a shaded outdoor courtyard area off the ground floor of the new building.

Inside the new library, which will be triple the floor space of the current library, is a performance space with tiered seating and the children’s library, with niche areas, Riach said.

There was a provision of outdoor play equipment for children installed nearby on the East St green as part of the recent CBD revitalisation, Riach said.

There is scope to add some playground equipment in future if that is what the community wanted.

“Any changes to the plan already adopted would need to go back before councillors for decision,” Riach said.