Playground? Tell him he’s dreaming: No playground planned or asked for at Ashburton’s new library and civic centre
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A playground at Baring Square East was never asked for Ashburton, council chief executive Hamish Riach says.
Riach was responding to claims from a member of the community that suggested councillors had removed a playground to cut costs from the redevelopment of Baring Square East.
The square is being upgraded alongside the $56.75 million new library and civic building, Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka.
“Since consultation first commenced on the building in 2016-17, the community has never signalled outdoor play equipment on its wish list for this area,” Riach said.
“[A playground] was never part of the original plans and not raised in community feedback.”
The consultation document included a summary of the plan to rejuvenate Baring Square East – a place that has never featured a playground, and the council didn’t receive any request to add one, so they didn’t.
Riach said the square upgrade will include a one-way slow street, a civic plaza area, raising the water feature, upgrading seats and planting, and retaining existing parts of the square such as the clock tower.
“The area was already used for some community events and council wanted to support more use of the public space.
“The aim was to retain well-established features and build on the legacy of the past, with an eye to the future.”
The plan retains grass areas for “passive recreation and gathering” and there will be a shaded outdoor courtyard area off the ground floor of the new building.
Inside the new library, which will be triple the floor space of the current library, is a performance space with tiered seating and the children’s library, with niche areas, Riach said.
There was a provision of outdoor play equipment for children installed nearby on the East St green as part of the recent CBD revitalisation, Riach said.
There is scope to add some playground equipment in future if that is what the community wanted.
“Any changes to the plan already adopted would need to go back before councillors for decision,” Riach said.
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Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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48.2% Yes
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49.8% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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