New playspace for Bendigo’s Lake Weeroona to include water play and mini inground trampoline

With Bendigo’s existing Lake Weeroona Playspace having been built in 1998, and now exhibiting structural deterioration, work has commenced today on the construction of a new $1.5 million regional level playspace at Lake Weeroona – one of the Greater Bendigo’s most visited public spaces.

The new play space will feature:

• A bigger footprint than the existing space with secure fencing and two entrances.

• Junior and senior play zones with play equipment for all ages and abilities and a variety of seating options.

• A water play area to provide cooling water sprays in the hotter months and a quieter seating area in the colder months.

• Native animal sculptures by Bendigo artist Yvonne George.

• An accessible ramp to a tall tower that provides views over the general surroundings.

• The ramp and tower incorporate an existing peppercorn tree and a shaded treehouse space along with a climbing net and slides.

• Play equipment includes a large pyramid climbing net, various swinging options including a log swing, accessible carousel, mini inground trampoline, see-saw rocker, combo play unit and nature play opportunities for quieter experiences.

• Tree planting to provide shade in the hotter weather.

City of Greater Bendigo Presentation and Assets Director Brian Westley advised that the existing Lake Weeroona Playspace had passed its useful life span.

“Lake Weeroona Playspace is one of the City’s most popular and well used playspaces and its renewal is a key action of the City’s Lake Weeroona Master Plan 2011,” Westley said.

“Thousands of visitors enjoy this play space each year and this renewal will ensure it continues to be a destination play space. We are looking forward to the completion of the new playspace so it can continue to entertain new generations of young people for the next 20 years.”

The project is being funded through a $1.2 million contribution from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and $301,750 from the City of Greater Bendigo.

Construction will be completed in December 2022.

Image: Existing Lake Weeroona Playspace