Press Centre

Batman opens one of many newly refurbished playgrounds in South Derbyshire

One of the aims of the South Derbyshire District Council is to support the Parish Councils in building and refurbishment programmes for play areas in their locality.  Play areas need eye-catching, challenging, well-made play products.  Dynamic, forward-thinking design and manufacture of play equipment is essential. A company who really get down to the nitty gritty when it comes finding out what is needed in a playground is required.  Who better then, to have working alongside them but leading playground equipment manufacturers, Wicksteed!  Recently awarded this major contract, Wicksteed were selected as the Council’s preferred supplier of all playground equipment over a three year period.  A contract which is likely to be worth in excess of £500,000.

Three existing play areas needed upgrading and Wicksteed, who won the tender in July 2006, were able to honour fixed prices on standard items of play equipment and groundworks – a significant issue for any decision-makers.  Two-thirds of the money for each play area will be funded by South Derbyshire District Council, consisting of funding from the Liveability Fund and the Big Lottery as well as the Council’s Capital budget, and the Parish Councils are expected to fund the other third.  Orders already received to end December 2006 were approximately £160,000, with work valued at £140,000 and delivery expected in the forthcoming months.

Input from the local community groups are important with any new or refurbished play scheme, and their opinions most certainly count. On completion of the proposed playground design, Parish Councils present the visuals to an “open meeting” so that the all-important public can submit their response.  Chris Mason, Leisure Services Manager at South Derbyshire, has been really pleased with the start the partnership has made, “Earlier this year the Council made a significant financial commitment towards upgrading the district’s play areas and towards new provision for teenagers.  To deliver this commitment as quickly and effectively as possible, while simultaneously meeting the needs of the local community, was  a key reason for us moving towards a preferred supplier arrangement.  The three sites in the initial tranche of work awarded to Wicksteed were completed in time for the school summer holidays and the feedback we’ve received has been very positive.  We look forward to continuing working  with Wicksteed to deliver the remainder of the planned programme.”

Some of these play areas have already been revamped and are now fully functioning, and brightening up those areas in South Derbyshire that were in much need of refurbishment.  None other than Batman had the pleasure of opening one of the first sites to be finished, Woodville Road Play Area in Overseal.

Kapow!  Batman tries out one of the units for size!

The first phase of work included sites at Castle Gresly, Midway and Overseal.  Wicksteed are about to commence work at Hatton and, in the very near future, providing a major new play area in Hilton.