Seymour’s Michael Easton is bringing the dream to life.
He hopes the upcoming Seymour Fun Day will give the community a taste of what it could be like to have such resources here in Seymour.
“We have joined forces with SU Victoria. They are a Christian-based organisation that works on assets based on community principles. We also wanted to involve other groups,” Mr Easton said.
It is hoped that activities like mini golf, rock climbing, a multi-storey play space and a café will generate enough revenue to fund a space for young people and families to enjoy together.
“The idea started when I was working as an outreach worker and noticed the need for a space for families to gather,” Mr Easton said.
“The seed has germinated, and I have gathered five of us working towards a permanent fun centre community enterprise in Seymour.
“We would have rock climbing, a play centre and café that would generate income and then a space to just hang out, with some pool tables and table tennis tables... Just a space for people to relax and enjoy.”
He heard many people complain that they must travel to Shepparton, Bendigo or Melbourne for youth and family-friendly activities.
“Having to travel an hour is a fair journey, unfortunately,” he said.
At 10am, the Amazing Race/Scavenger Hunt all over Chittick Park will kick off the first part of Seymour Fun Day.
“The whole idea of the Amazing Race is for people to have a good time and know what else is on at Chittick Park. Different community groups will run an activity as part of the race,” Mr Easton said.
Community groups, including the tennis club, cricket club, and basketball club, who use Chittick Park, will be present and promoting their activities.
Teams of up to eight people can be registered for the event. At least one person in each group must be aged over 18, as it is a public area that people will be racing through.
The second part of the day, from 11am to 2pm, will see a range of activities, including hired equipment from Fun Zone in Bendigo. This includes AFL games, laser tag, archery, melt down, logo design, and giant snakes and ladders.
Entry is $5 per person and inclusive of the Amazing Race entry. To enjoy the full range of activities in the second part of the day, entry is $25.
“The idea is to explore whether it is realistic, to see if people will pay, so as we can cover the cost for a free space,” Mr Easton said.
“We have put in a proposal to the Chittick Park redevelopment to have a fun centre included. If people want to support that, we strongly encourage them to contact the council.”
A sausage sizzle run by Seymour Girl Guides, a coffee van, an ice-cream van and the aquatic centre kiosk will energise revellers for the day.
For more info or to book your spot at the Seymour Fun Day, visit www.suvic.org.au/camps/seymour-fun-centre or look up and share the Facebook event at hNps://g.me/e/3L1UQJo6u Alternatively, book online at brushfire.com/sua/fun-centre/560840/
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