Making play dreams a reality

The facility, set to open in 2025 pending financial support, will include slides, climbing walls and interactive play zones catering to toddlers through to pre-teens, and is designed to encourage physical activity and social interaction.

The play centre will be built within the walls of the 70-year-old Kyabram Youth Club Hall in Unwin St, near the centre of town.

Kyabram Youth Club president Lachlan Maskell was excited by the project, which had many benefits such as boosting Kyabram’s economy and providing a safe space for children to play.

“This centre will provide a safe, all-weather venue for children to play, thus reducing screen time and promoting physical fitness,” he said.

“As well as attracting families from surrounding districts and providing a much-needed boost to the local economy, it will also mean local families do not need to travel out of town for their play needs.

“In addition, we expect the centre will create employment opportunities for local residents in areas such as childcare, maintenance and administration.”

Mr Maskell said Kyabram Youth Club was calling for local businesses and residents to support its ambitious plan to construct the indoor play centre.

“We estimate the facility will cost $100,000, but we plan to begin the build once we’ve secured $50,000 in pledges,” he said.

“We already have the equipment in hand, but there is a lot to be done to convert our basketball-court-sized hall into a safe, wonderland of play for kids.”

Mr Maskell said his committee in recent times had sought to answer the question of: what was the best use for the hall?

“This facility was built by the Kyabram Community in 1950, and many generations of Kyabram families will have fond memories of participating in activities here,” he said.

“They may have played basketball, table tennis or badminton; or maybe they learnt gymnastics or martial arts, or in recent times they may have cast their vote in the Referendum or Federal Election.

“But times have changed, and volunteerism, for whatever reason, has declined, so we needed to look outside the box to ensure the hall is being used.”

Mr Maskell said his committee was saddened to witness the demolition of Shepparton Youth Club by the City of Greater Shepparton in 2022, and took it as a warning to them to “use it or lose it.”

Mr Maskell said fortunately it was not difficult to find the answer for the hall’s best use.

“Our Fun Group for preschoolers has been running for many years, and if we were given $100 for how many times a mum or a dad told us they would give anything for an indoor play centre of the like in Shepparton or Echuca, I reckon we would already have the funds to build this play centre,: he said.

“That’s why we’re confident we’ll secure enough donations and grants to make this dream a reality.”

The appeal was kicked off with a $4000 pledge from Community Bank Kyabram.

Community Bank Kyabram Chair Vince Curtis said the Youth Club’s project fit perfectly the aim of his bank which launched in 2016 and which has already tipped around $300,000 into the local community.

“We want to make Kyabram a better place to live by progressing and developing the community infrastructure, the community facilities and the community amenities,” Mr Curtis said.

Mr Maskell said his committee was initiating a pledge system for raising the money, allowing businesses and individuals to donate a specific amount of money which would be collected once the $50,000 set goal was reached.

Once the goal is reached, supporters will be asked to fulfil their commitments by making an actual donation.

He said to encourage pledges, incentives like recognition in the facility, naming opportunities and public thank you messages will be offered to major contributors along with those who pledge early.

Businesses, individuals or community groups can pledge to the appeal by sending an email with their donation amount to kyabram.youthclub@gmail.com