Since becoming a mother in 2022 I have noticed there is a significant gap in child play in Warrnambool. There is nowhere to take your child during off season, that is, nowhere to take your child when it is cold, wet or unfavorable weather i.e. extreme heat. Warrnambool City Council have spent so much money to make Lake Pertobe the playground & play space that it is (not to mention the toilet block at costing $800,000) but this can only be utilized in peak season. When the weather is perfect, which is only between the months of Dec – March. Therefore, it caters to the tourist but what about the locals? For the rest of the year the local children are limited as to where they can play & develop.

Once upon a time Warrnambool was home to facility called “Pins & Play” that closed, and nothing took its place. If parents wish to take their children to an indoor play space in Warrnambool their only hope is the Warrnambool Library. This space is for reading, it isn’t a place for active play, motor development and interaction. We are so fortunate to have this space but it’s getting utilized by so many parents as a “play space” because we have nothing else.

Warrnambool childcare centers are in crisis. Waitlists are up to two years to get your child into care which means more children are staying at home. We desperately need this indoor space more than ever right now. There needs to be a space that allows for interaction not only between children but parents as well.

The only indoor play spaces that parents of Warrnambool have access too are Rafferty’s Tavern and Mid City (only open for dinner). Rafferty’s Taverns host a very limited space for children and taking children into a bistro during the day isn’t ideal at all. Therefore, parents are forced to travel. Port Fairy hosts Monkeys and Mermaids at the Big 4 Caravan Park, however access is limited, as children staying at the caravan park get priority (which is understandable). This then leaves parents been forced to keep their children inside for the 100th day in a row or pack them up and drive two hours to Geelong.

The benefit that this indoor play space would have to the Warrnambool community is huge. Parents would travel from surrounding towns to enjoy the space and therefore this would help boost the economy of our town. This space would also be fantastic for tourist when the weather is warm and outdoor play puts the children at risk of heat stroke, sunburn & dehydration.

Finally, there would be a boost in jobs. This play space would create jobs for those studying at our Southwest Tafe. Students studying early childhood development would be perfectly suited for positions at the play space.

I believe for the play space to be successful it would need to entail the following…

• Inclusive indoor playground (catering to all abilities)
• Café including a kitchenette with microwaves and bottle warmers.
• Messy play space to allow kids to explore sensory play.
• Toddler zone – soft play environment
• Quite space – to allow children with retreat to regular emotions and take time out for the chaos in the play space - I think this would be fantastic for children with Autism.
• Change room & toilet facilities

This space would easily fit into an industrial size shed. A location that would host a shed this size would be out in the new industrial estate on Horne Rd (as an idea)

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION if you believe Warrnambool desperately need an indoor play space.