The Sandy Beach Youth Space and Community Hub will be officially opened on Sunday 23 July at 11am.
It includes a playground with a dual-flying fox with an accessible option, slides from a cubbyhouse tower, accessible carousel, balance beams and posts, a seesaw and other play elements aimed at toddlers to young kids.
In addition, there is a mini skate park, multi-purpose basketball court, shade sails, a shared cycle/pathway, barbecues, seating and shelters – all linked by connecting pathways and landscaping.
The $1.325m project was jointly funded by the City of Coffs Harbour, NSW Government and the Coffs Coast Regional Park Trust.
"I'm delighted to see this fantastic new Youth Space and Community Hub at Sandy Beach," said City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Paul Amos. "Not only is it a vibrant, fun and welcoming meeting place for Sandy Beach families, youth and visitors, but it's the very first community facility this lovely village has ever had.
"I've been blown away by the quality of the new facilities - and the people who can be most proud of this achievement are the Sandy Beach residents. They have been involved with this project from the get-go and provided heaps of input.
"Locals of all ages – from the Sandy Beach Public School students right through to seniors – have been engaged and supportive at every stage of the consultation process. And the local community Sandy Beach Action Group (SANDBAG) also deserves our thanks.
"This has also been very much a partnership of the City, Sandy Beach locals, the Coffs Coast Regional Park Trust Board and the NSW Government – and shows what can be achieved when we all work together with a positive attitude."
Sandy Beach Reserve forms part of the Coffs Coast Regional Park. The Trust Board is responsible for control and management of the Regional Park. Implementation of park management is shared between the City of Coffs Harbour and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service on behalf of the Board.
Chairman of the Regional Park Trust Board Rod McKelvey echoed the Mayor and said the Youth Space and Hub design was very much a result of the community's ideas.
"The final outcome brings together the types of elements, facilities and design themes that were put forward by the many local adults and children who gave their time to take part in the consultation process for the whole Sandy Beach Reserve Masterplan," he said. "They did a great job."
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the official opening is another proud moment for the Northern Beaches.
"The Sandy Beach Youth Space and Community Hub reflects the true meaning of working together to achieve an outstanding facility for everyone in our community to enjoy," said Mr Singh.
"This community-driven project has transformed Sandy Beach Reserve into an inclusive, activated and fun public space for people to come together, to relax, and to play, now and into the future."
The engagement process and construction of the Sandy Beach Youth Space and Community Hub was project-managed by the City of Coffs Harbour.
