PARENTS lament that there isn’t enough for children to do in Mildura.
Their concerns have been exacerbated since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, with the closure of a number of local play and activity centres, such as the indoor go-kart track, Inflatable World and Caterpillars.
Sadly, Mildura is not alone in this. Across the state, closures of play and activity centres have been common over the past two years, for many and varied reasons, notably rising insurance costs, people hesitant to go out due to Covid-19 concerns, staff shortages and rising staff costs.
The insurance hikes have proven a particular killer.
Mildura’s popular Aquaslide has also been closed for a few years now due to enormous insurance hikes and it will not reopen.
So while it is sad for the kids and parents and a blow to country towns like this to lose these great attractions, it is particularly devastating for those business owners who loved bringing joy to kids’ faces.
But, it’s not all doom and gloom for the kids of Mildura.
In one positive step, which we should all welcome, works are about to begin on a new adventure park at Nowingi Place. It should be ready for play by summer and, notably, it will be free for all.
The Nowingi Place Adventure Park will replace and expand on the existing playground site, introducing new play structures suitable for all ages, including experiences not available elsewhere in the region.
Features will include a multi-level skyway and tower and enclosed tube slide, embankment slides, log stacks and stumps, climbing equipment, flying foxes, rock walls, swings, a carousel and balance beams.
It’s not Disneyland, it’s a play park, but it promises to be a ripper.
Similar adventure parks are now a feature of many other regional towns and have proven a hit with both kids and parents.
As well as being fun for kids, they are a great meeting place for parents over a coffee.
Which is why Mildura Council has made the right move in locating its $750,000 redevelopment on the riverfront.
The riverfront is the jewel in Mildura’s crown and enriching it further makes sense, not just for locals, but also for tourists.
Right now, work on the $9.156 million Powerhouse redevelopment project is also surging ahead in what will further add to the riverfront’s attraction.
The redevelopment will complement the already completed riverfront beautification works and bring Stage 2 of the project to life.
The upgrades include a new visitor information area, theatre space, a flexible event space, covered alfresco area, a new events kitchen building adjacent to the Powerhouse, public amenities, new “boiler house” providing covered outdoor events space and external services.
There will be the naysayers who criticise the park for being a waste of money.
But don’t listen to them. Just ask the kids what they think.
