Cloncurry residents can look forward a bit more to the long, hot summer now they have a brand new waterpark.
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The $2.5m upgrade of Florence Clark Park opened officially a couple of weeks ago transforming the area to attract more visitors and create a place for the community to come together.
The two-year redevelopment incorporates new amenities, water park and splash-pad, barbecues, playground, skatable furniture, educational cycle area, civic stage, new lighting, water bubblers, seating, wide footpaths and improved green space, along with educational information telling the story of Cloncurry's history and key landmarks, with paths and lines of sight directing people through to visit John Flynn Place.
It is a delight for kids of all ages, but especially sweet for a far-sighted bunch of local kids that would now be starting high school.
Because in 2016 when they were in Cloncurry State School Grade 3 they specifically asked Council for a water park.
In a North West Star story called "iunior lobbyists" five students attended a Cloncurry Shire Council meeting to make their pitch.
"Cloncurry must have a fun water park because everyone will die of thirst," said student Latarnia Sollitt while Ryley Macnamara said "Cloncurry definitely needs a water park because it is so hot we could die."
Acting mayor Jane McMillan had encouraged the students to attend the meeting after they wrote letters in class to the Star about why they wanted a pool.
During the meeting Cr McMillan asked what features they would want in the park if it was to be built.
Water guns and big slides were a must, according to the students.
And thanks to the power of kids, Cloncurry Shire Council has delivered five years later.
Current mayor Greg Campbell said there was a second delegation of state school kids a few years ago again asking for the same thing,
"Their visit was the catalyst that crystallised the need to do something about it," Cr Campbell said.
"Credit must go to teacher Jo Walters who brought the kids in."
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
