Masterplan for Gembrook’s masterpiece

The finalised masterplans for Gembrook’s Leisure Park have been released. 191725_01

By Breanna Taylor

The dilapidated timber skeleton of Gembrook’s Leisure Park is set to receive a huge $1.5 million makeover, transforming it into one of Melbourne’s most innovative playgrounds.

Cr Jeff Springfield released the finalised masterplans at Monday’s council meeting on March 18, calling the development “next level,” and thanked state and federal governments for their generous funding.

Careful consideration was taken to update the initial draft after 156 members of the public expressed their opinion in an online survey.

The park, described by Cr Springfield as “broken down and dangerous”, was created as a community project back in the 2000’s and has been widely popular amongst locals since its construction.

Cr Leticia Wilmot said that the reconstruction of the play area, “will be fantastic for the region, not just the township” and will increase public attraction not only to the park but to Gembrook and surrounding suburbs.

Community consultation was a highly important factor in planning the new playground with four local primary schools and Emerald Secondary College encouraged to share what they believed were necessary additions.

The feedback from students showed significant concern regarding an updated and refurbished skating rink as the current one had been a highlight to those living in the hills for years.

Specialist skate park designers have joined the planning process to scope out possibilities and have changed the initial draft which underestimated these requests.

The masterplan showed an update to the current barbecue area and toilet block with the inclusion of a new basketball court and rubber coated playground.

Items that were lower priority like the zero depth water play area were removed.

Cr Colin Ross said the large sum of money granted from both state and federal governments showed the importance of the program that wouldn’t have previously been possible with the limitations of rate payers’ money.

The councillor likened the project to the state winning renovations of Pakenham’s PB Ronald Reserve, suggesting that the leisure park also has the potential to be award winning once complete.

“The more we can put into these country towns to beautify and upgrade them, the better our shire will be.”