Queenstown Playcentre’s in its new home.
After more than 40 years at its former Stanley St site, the playcentre officially opened the doors to its new centre, located with Queenstown
Primary School, on Monday morning, following a dawn blessing led by Queenstown kaumatua Ned Wepiha.
Playcentre Aotearoa CEO David Moger says while the new centre’s been a long time coming, ‘‘I think it’s been really worthwhile’’.
Moger says the new site also embodies Playcentre’s ethos, ‘te whānau tupu ngātahi’ — families growing together — assisted by an open fence, through which playcentre kids can interact with those at the primary school, which will likely make their transition to ‘big school’ easier.
At Monday’s opening, mayor Glyn Lewers said the playcentre was an integral part of Queenstown’s community.
‘‘With growth and the way that Queenstown’s changing, having an anchor, where we still have the primary school, but also tamariki here [at playcentre], maintains those links back to older families that were here before us and keeps the spirit of young kids within this town.
‘‘It’s actually very important to Queenstown itself as things get bigger, brighter and shinier, we’re still grounded in what it actually means the
most to us, and that’s our young kids.’’
The playcentre’s former site’s likely to become a temporary carpark, but will be vested as local purpose reserve.
