UNDER CONSTRUCTION: City of Greater Bendigo’s acting public spaces activation officer Karen Cresswell checks how work is going on the new Hargreaves Mall Red Dragon playground. Picture: Peter Weaving
THE Hargreaves Mall Red Dragon playground is coming to life and will take residence in Bendigo’s CBD in less than three weeks.
More than 1000 children and 500 adults are expected to fill the mall on Thursday, March 28, when the Red Dragon is revealed to the public, after months of tough decisions, design and construction.
City of Greater Bendigo landscape architect Gary Lantzsch said the construction process was going smoothly, despite continuing pressure to create something popular for the town.
“The mall has had some controversy associated with it and everyone has an opinion so that tells me that people value the space,” he said.
“We wanted to raise the bar and create something unique and custom for this space and the playground has the potential to become an iconic figure for Bendigo.”
Mr Lantzsch said almost all of the design and fabrication work had been completed in Bendigo, apart from a few pieces that are unable to be sourced in Australia.
“It really is a local, community project and you can really see the skill level of those in the town,” he said.
Kattle Gear Australia and Central Victorian Sandblasting Services will complete the works and manufacturing manager Nick Vowles said it was “the biggest sculptural project” the Bendigo company had been involved in.
The playground will be permanently located at the Williamson Street end of the mall and will include a climber, vertical spinner and trampoline.
Council has allocated $150,000 out of its current budget to go towards the project.
