A popular Coolum kindy will soon have a new climbing fort with the help of a Federal Government community grant.
C&K Coolum Childcare Centre is one of five groups in the Coolum and North Shore area to receive an early Christmas present under the Stronger Communities Program.
The children’s old fort has seen better days, mainly due to corrosion over time from the salt air and will be replaced with a new platform and soft-fall ground surface.
Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said 20 community groups across his electorate were sharing $150,000 in grants to improve or install facilities and buy much needed equipment.
“It was great to meet with the staff and to be able to tell them the Kindy would receive $12,000,” Mr O’Brien said.
C&K Coolum Childcare Centre director Jen Leo said the popular centre was grateful for the funding which would go towards a $55,000 total playground upgrade (pictures of the upgraded space below).
“Because we are a not-for-profit we struggle to get the money we need for a new playground and have to do a lot of fundraising,” Ms Leo said.
“We also lost two massive cotton trees that provided shade which has made the area dusty so the next stage of the project will eventually be to put in a gazebo or shade sail.”
A number of other community groups have also benefitted with the Coolum and North Shore area receiving $38,865.
“The Coolum Surf Lifesaving Club will buy new equipment using its $4,365 grant; $3,000 has gone to Coolum HeArts to help build a new shed and the Yandina Creek Progress Association gets $7,500 for a trail network they’re working on around Verrierdale,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Meanwhile, the APEX Queensland Youth Camp at Twin Waters can put $12,000 towards a high ropes course encouraging youngsters to push themselves beyond their comfort zone.”
Mr O’Brien said the Stronger Communities grants – totalling $22.5 million across Australia – funded projects that encouraged participation and contributed to vibrant neighbourhoods.
“The Coolum region is very community oriented and there are so many motivated groups that might not have the budgets to undertake their own projects but for which the Federal Government has proudly contributed,” Mr O’Brien said.
Check out C&K Coolum’s new outdoor space and playground below!