Kalgoorlie CBD playground temporarily closed for ‘routine maintenance’

The Kalgoorlie CBD playground which opened a few months ago as part of a $16 million redevelopment project has been temporarily closed for an unknown amount of time for “routine maintenance”.

The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder officially opened the silky-pear themed playground as part of the Kal City Centre redevelopment project in November last year.

Last week, the playground was surrounded by fencing and off-limits to the public on Friday.

While no timeline was given for the closure, City chief executive Andrew Brien said the duration would be determined once the required maintenance was confirmed.

“As the playground has been open for just over three months, this is part of the operations schedule following the purchase and installation of new equipment and is conducted by Kal City Centre contracted developers,” he said.

“We understand extended closures are an inconvenience, however, these checks and works must be completed as part of the practical completion phase of the Kal City Centre Project”

The playground was part of the redevelopment which stretches from St Barbara’s Square to the rear of the Market Arcade and features alfresco dining and entertainment areas as well as a water play area, improved lighting and CCTV infrastructure.

More than six years after its initiation, the $16 million project was opened by Small Business Minister Jackie Jarvis during a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Member for Kalgoorlie Ali Kent and City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder mayor Glenn Wilson in November.

The project received $8m funding from the WA Government, with a matched contribution from the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.