FAIRFIELD ROTARY’S “CENTENNIAL PROJECT” THAT WOULDN’T STOP

 

In 2001 Fairfield Rotary Club members joined in a working group to plant some 300 trees in Claudelands Park’s stony ground. Recognising the potential of this community-owned park, the club saw the need for a children’s play area, and allocated initial funding, proposing that such a project become the club’s way of marking Rotary’s Centennial Year in 2005. The marketing and sale of engraved brick pavers placed on park borders raised more seed funding, while a grant of $10,000 from Rotarian Elgar Henry’s Graffiti Community Alert Team (Graffiti Cats!) set the seal on the centennial project.

By 2003 a planning group had met with Bill Featherstone of Parks and Reserves and received a very positive response to the concept, and an assurance that Fairfield Rotary’s funding would enable Council to proceed with installation of safe, suitable child-friendly equipment.

Thus, by 2005, The Rotary “Junior Playground” was established at Claudelands Park to formally mark Rotary’s 2005 Centennial.

In 2006, Rotarian Jim Anderson proposed the construction of Family Shelters at the Play Park based upon an Australian design and to be followed by a free community barbecue.  Again the Club achieved success in agreeing design and construction concepts with the City Council.

By 2009 a Family Fun Day at the Park saw wonderful use of the play equipment and also Rotary Shelter number one which was ceremonially handed to Mayor, Julie Hardaker in 2010.

By 2012 the increasing level of family patronage highlighted the need for a second shelter complemented by a barbecue.  Thanks to splendid community support and constant liaison with the City Council, the whole project has been brought to fruition in 2013.

That initial seeding of some $3000 of Club funds saw significant grants from Fairfield Graffiti Cats, the DV Bryant Trust, WEL Energy Trust and Sky City Foundation Trust, plus, more recently, from James R. Hill and Holdfast NZ Ltd.  Together with Hamilton City Council and the Fairfield Club’s own funding from its annual Rotary Book Fair such support has allowed the Club to expend an amazing $68,000 to help achieve this splendid Claudelands Children’s Play Park.

On October 14 Mayor Julie cut the ribbon, opening Fairfield’s Shelter number 2 and revealing our large Rotary Wheel.