OVER THE MOON FOR THE RED ROCKET
On Tuesday 27 April Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) had lift off for the new ‘Red Rocket’ playground equipment, calling Victoria Park home for infinity and beyond! The ‘Red Rocket’ is a blast from the past for most of the community and aims to pay homage to the original rocket that was installed in the 1960s and removed around 1995. The new ‘Red Rocket’ has been engineered to meet all current Australian standards for play equipment, it measures 8.8 metres tall and weighs a whopping 1.8 tonnes. The rocket features three levels for children to climb plus a slippery slide and speaker tubes connecting the top flight deck to the ground.
Acting Mayor of the Dubbo Region, Stephen Lawrence said he was sure there would be many excited parents and even grandparents in the community. “The ‘Rocket’ brings back a lot of happy memories for anyone who grew up in Dubbo in the 70s and is a reminder of playing in the great outdoors before technology overtly influenced our lives,” he said. “I hope the rocket will encourage a return to some imaginative play for children in our community and I for one know my kids are extremely excited to visit the new red rocket,” said Councillor Lawrence.
The new ‘Red Rocket’ was a joint partnership with the Australian Government, under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI). Local Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton MP said he is pleased to see this partnership deliver such a fun result for the community. "It's fantastic to see plans for the space rocket playground are charging ahead using funds under the LRCI program," Mr Coulton said. "Returning this much-loved piece of playground equipment to Victoria Park will be nostalgic for many in the Dubbo community whilst improving the social and emotional wellbeing of children. This is exactly the type of work the Australian Government is pleased to support - to create local job opportunities, while delivering lasting benefits."
DRC engaged local contractors Glenn Healey Constructions to install the concrete footings and Macquarie Electrical to install a surprise electrical feature. Another local company, Mid State Cranes assisted RKR Engineering to install the Rocket in its new pride of place as part of a the playground renewal project for Victoria Park that will be operational later in the year.
Link to video https://vimeo.com/542449771/7bea0c6466
Last Edited: 17 Jul 2023