Strathdale Park will be a hive of activity next year when a regional play space is installed.
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Among the new equipment in the Crook Street park will be a unique piece of play equipment.
A 1.8 metre high wooden play hive made up of more than 500 individually cut pieces of hardwood will be part of the new play space.
The hive was completed using the skills and knowledge of the Salvation Army’s Bendigo Men’s Shed members
City of Greater Bendigo landscape architect Karoline Klein said it took more than timber to create such a unique piece of equipment.
“It takes the skills of some very good people and the cop-operation of a group like the Salvation Army,” she said.
“We knew they had the skills to (construct the hive) and asked them to help. By highlighting the good work the Salvos it’s a win-win project for everybody involved.”
Play hives are quite rare in Australia and this will be the first to be installed in Greater Bendigo.
Gino Barducci, who helped construct the hive, said he spent three days a week in the Men’s Shed working on the project.
“If I worked once a week, it would take me five years. I have to thank the manager who let me in three times a week and also my wife who let me come in three times a week,” Mr Barducci said.
“Because manager wonderful man, the people in the Men’s Shed are wonderful people and the equipment in the shed is top notch, everything worked out perfectly. I’m very, very happy with it.”
Salvation Army captain Craig Wood said the organisation was excited to be involved in a community project like this one.
“Community assets aren't just bricks and mortar and roads, it’s also people like Gino,” he said.
“This project helps benefit the community, gives people a sense of providing a worthwhile opportunity and makes great use of the assets of these gentlemen in a community project that is in partnership with the council.”
Ms Klein said she was excited to see children using the new play equipment.
“It will go into Strathdale Park with the other new equipment (planned for) there,” she said.
“In using timber and natural materials, I thought it this makes the space more unique rather than stock-standard equipment.”
Ms Klein expects the upgrade to the Crook Street park to be completed by mid-March.
“We will be starting the construction works of other (playground) equipment in the middle of February,” she said.
“It should be fully installed by about mid March.”
