*Important - Playground Update* Many of you will be thinking why is the park not finished and open already? There have been several incorrect rumours, so it is important that the facts are explained correctly. 1. We have raised nearly £200k to date. We have all the funds we require to complete phase.1. The ship and all the equipment are already paid for. This has happened thanks to the superb generosity of many Guernsey residents and companies. 2. With all building projects the unforeseen issues are where delays are incurred. Before the ground work was to start, some park users will have noticed the heavy flooding that occurred during the first quarter of the year. It was found that a main drain had cracked. This drain was not part of the playground project. Frustratingly the drain went under and through the playground. No one had any maps of the location of these drains and why water was pouring out over the paths and car park. After video inspection it was found that surface water from Haye du puits went under the park towards the sea. These drains needed to be repaired and replaced. They belong to the States. A long process of multi-departments checks were made, quotes and internal States funding approval process. 3. Whilst this States funding process was happening, we had to stand by and just wait, as it would have not been possible to commence the playground installation and then have it damaged or removed if further issues were found. 4. As soon as the drains were repaired, playground work commenced. However as no knowledge of the ground was available. it became apparent that old drains existed under the playground, slabs of concrete, bits of rusting metal, etc.. all this has to be removed and disposed of at additional cost and time, with specialised machinery. 5. The green surface protection carpet that had to be disposed of had a layer of lava type granules underneath (old style fall protection), vast amounts of this stuff had to be removed and disposed of, as it could not be used or mixed with the new soil. 6. With such extensive ground works, it was deemed sensible to prepare phase.2 and 3 during phase.1, to avoid having to waste further time in the future. This is the reason for the area of work having been extended all the way back to the pond and spider net, whilst also creating additional access points for phases 2 & 3. 7. This is not a States project. The playground is 100% funded by donations. Unlike some charities, none of the committee pay themselves a penny, we do all this FOC for the benefit of Guernsey. Hazel and Sarah our events team work tirelessly putting on one superb event after another, raising regular funds to allow phase 2 and 3 to happen. 8. The generosity of suppliers and contractors has been amazing. All the large granite rocks have been supplied FOC. The grounds works and associated works have been done at cost or FOC where time permits. We are very keen to ensure every penny buys a pounds worth of value. 9. It disappoints me that certain people who moan the most about the park not being ready, have never volunteered or given one penny towards the helping us achieve the completion of the Playground. Its very simple this is a playground for all the kids of Guernsey, the sooner we raise all the money required, the sooner all the phases will be done. Instead of moaning about progress, why not ask how you can help or where to donate. 10. Putting aside the massive generosity of big sponsors who will be thanked royally when we celebrate phase.1 opening. The current project could not have been achieved without our resident architect Oliver Brock of Bonham & Bonham who has tirelessly helped design and plan the park layout and detail, all without charge! Lastly the playground project would not have been possible without the amazing help and project planning skills of Northgates (professional project planners) who have pulled together the team, resources and more to allow us to deliver what will be the best playground in Guernsey. A final message - We all want the playground finished, none more than the committee. Everyone involved is working flat out to deliver it in time, whilst working within the constraints of the weather, rain, etc... Once phase.1 is done and delivered, we will have a superb opening day and share with you the exciting plans for phase2 and 3. Yours in play, Zef Eisenberg - Chairman FOSPP
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 11:14:39 +0000
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