Cass Square playground is a community facility that provides recreation and play opportunities for families in Hokitika.
Concerns were raised by the community regarding the standard of the play equipment and improvements were requested. An audit of the playground and equipment found that there were improvements to be made. During the Long Term Plan process in 2021 Council allocated $628,000 over the next 10 years for playground equipment and rubber matting upgrades, as well as ongoing maintenance.
Timeline
| January | Playground closed and Creospace and Westroads remove old equipment to start work on new playground. |
| June | The playground opened with a grand opening event on Sunday 23 June 2024. |
| January | Working group, including community members appointed. |
| March |
Working Group workshop
|
| April |
Working Group workshop
|
| June |
Working Group workshop
|
| October |
Working Group workshop
|
| November |
Council Meeting
|
| December |
Working Group workshop
Working Group workshop
|
| June | Council allocated funding in the LTP to start work on improvements to the playground. |
| September | Staff appointed The Playground Center to provide initial designs. |
| April | Council agreed to investigate applying for additional Lotteries Funding and put the project on hold while the funding is secured. |
| September | Application submitted to Lottery Grants Board. |
| November | Annual Playsafe Playground inspection found 4 low risk issues, 31 low/medium risk issues, 14 medium risk issues and 4 high risk issues. High risk issues come with a recommendation for closure or immediate rectification. |
| December | Lotteries Grant approved. |
| April | Cass Square playground was audited by an external consultant, standards of failure and required improvements were identified. |
Next Steps
Council budgeted $521,460 in the 2021/2022 year for the renewal and upgrade of the Playground and surfaces at Cass Square. In the draft Annual Plan Council proposed carrying the budget into the 2022/2023 financial year.
By seeking additional funding the community will get the benefit of a larger facility without further community funding requirement.
The working group recommended Creospace Ltd's design proposal to Council who approved this in November 2023. Installation of the new playground began in January 2024. The playground was completed in June 2024, with a grand opening event held on Sunday 23 June.
Funding
- Council applied for lotteries funding on 7 September 2022, with a concept plan. Lotteries agreed to match WDC contribution of $510,000.
- Let’s Play Hokitika - Kia Tākaro, a sub-group of Hokitika Community Trust are fundraising additional funds for the Cass Square playground upgrade. Any funds raised will offset the cost to ratepayers. Find out more and donate here.
Images from the Creospace proposal. Please note these are concept diagrams and subject to minor changes.
Agendas, minutes and media releases
Livestream recordings of previous meetings can be viewed on our Youtube channel.
| 29 March 2022 |
| 26 January 2023 | |
|
Media Release - Cass Square Playground working group moving forward |
22 March 2023 |
| Media Release - Let's Play Hokitika fundraising page | 19 April 2023 |
| Media Release - Cass Square playground tender awarded | 7 November 2023 |
| Media Release - Work starts on new Cass Square playground | 25 January 2024 |
| Cass Square Working Group meeting | 5 June 2024 |
| Cass Square Grand Opening | 23 June 2024 |
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Thank you book from the children at Hokitika Primary School - Rūma kotuku, Ruru and Tahou classrooms. Presented to the Council at their meeting on 25 July 2024. |
26 June 2024 |
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