The gates of Koonawarra Public School will be unlocked this summer – and everyone’s invited to play on the playground or use its sports courts and fields.
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The school, on Byamee Street, is one of 42 across the state to be included in a NSW government initiative that’ll open up the usually-dormant facilities to those who paid for them – the public.
The Come Play Summer Pilot Program will unlock school ovals, sports courts and green space for community use between 8am and 6pm daily, from December 23 until the end of the school holidays in late January.
Education Minister Rob Stokes launched the trial on Friday, the final day of the 2017 school year, and said the program would provide more recreational spaces in the suburbs.
“Schools are an important part of every community and often occupy prime open space,” Mr Stokes said.
“Instead of locking the gate this summer, the trial program will share this public space to allow people to exercise and play at their local school over the summer holiday break.”
Participating schools will get a $15,000 grant to help upgrade their facilities.
A spokesman for Mr Stokes said concerns about damage to school facilities, such as graffiti, would be addressed through “regular daily security patrols to monitor safety and security”.
“Where appropriate, temporary fencing will be put up to reduce the risk of vandalism,” the spokesman said.
The trial covers primary and high schools. Other schools to open these summer holidays include Appin Public School and Wollondilly Public School.
Koonawarra Public is the only Illawarra school to be included in the program.
No Shoalhaven or South Coast schools are involved.
The spokesman said the schools included in the initial phase of the trial were “geographically spread across all regions of NSW, sites that were not in close proximity to existing recreational space, and schools that were fenced and would not otherwise be open to the public during the holidays”.
“Consultation with the principals of these shortlisted schools led to the selection of the 42 schools that are participating in the initial pilot,” he said.
“The pilot program is designed to see if the initiative can be applied across a range of schools in the future.”
A review of the program would determine the types of schools to participate in future phases, he said.
AT A GLANCE
- Koonawarra Public School’s playground will be open to the public over the summer holidays
- Gates unlocked between 8am and 6pm daily, from Dec 23 until late January
- Security patrols to ensure safety, prevent damage
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
