By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
IT MAY be the first of its kind in the region but without the support of local Rotarians Livvi’s Place all abilities play space wouldn’t be the same.
Due to funding the Marriott Waters playground was going to be built without its proposed ampitheatre.
But after funds were raised by the Cranbourne, Berwick, Endeavour Hills and Casey Rotary clubs the all-inclusive ampitheatre will be built in the current construction phase.
Volunteer Community Co-ordinator and ambassador for the project, Therese Howell, is thrilled the ampitheatre won’t become a stage two project.
“There are very few places that meet the needs of disabled groups and the ambi-theatre will add another community gathering space for large groups and with a stage area it means groups like Oz Child, Yooralla and Windermere can use the area out of the play zone for more structured activities,” she said.
A proposed opening day for the play space is set to be around September this year and Ms Howell, whose son Jack has a disability, was personally touched by one design element.
“They have incorporated wheelchair cut-ins into the two-level box seating arrangement so children in wheelchairs aren’t stuck on the end but can sit in among their friends- which is just really beautiful,” she said.
Rotarian of more than 45 years, Geoff Brown from Endeavour Hills Rotary Club was the driving force behind the ampitheatre fund-raising.
“When we all heard about the play space and ampitheatre it lit up our eyes and I said, “Look guys we need to be a part of it and at the time I was chairman of community services so I approached other clubs to get on board,” he said.
The combined Rotary effort has raised $20,000 for the ampitheatre to be built, with each club donating $5,000 to the Touched by Olivia Foundation charity which is working with the City of Casey to develop the play space.
Mr Brown said he was shocked to find out families with disabled children in Warragul had to travel to Hawthorn for the nearest all-abilities playground.
“It’s a fantastic project and a chance for disabled children of any form to play alongside able-bodied children and enjoy one another’s company in a safe area,” Mr Brown said.
