Kid’s stuff | MAY 16
SHARKY’S SOFT PLAY open for business!
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alling all young buccaneers, pirates and swashbuckling adventurers… Sharky’s Soft Play at Henfield Leisure centre is now open for business! After months of building works and disruption, everything came together on time for the opening of Sharky’s Soft Play in March this year! Following a countdown, the ribbon was cut by guests of honour Peter James (local author) and Sheila Matthews (former Henfield Councillor). The privilege of being the first person to test out the soft play was given to Henry Francis, a very special four-year old who came up with the fabulous name of Sharky’s in the competition to find a name! The project to bring a soft play centre to Henfield has been a real community effort. It was spearheaded by the Leisure Centre management committee and built by Brighton builders Kingsgate and lots of local businesses,
tradespeople and volunteers have been involved in from start to finish. Barry Mitchell of the Henfield Leisure Centre Committee was tasked with looking at new revenue streams for the Leisure Centre and came up with the initial concept. “I’ve got four grandchildren of my own and I know how little there is in the village for small children so I thought that a soft play centre would be ideal. With the support of both Horsham District Council and Henfield Parish Council we managed to get the project off the ground. Seeing the joy on the faces of the children here today is great!” Barry approached local Local architect Roger Minost to design the building. Roger worked on the creation of initial designs through to the tendering process and building specifications. “I think it looks wonderful, so bright and colourful
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