NEWS DESK
Water slide closed in wake of more injuries Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au
Never mind the Pollocks: Artist Kerrie Warren’s The Bonfire artwork will adorn the exterior of the Frankston Arts Centre.
Flaming big art on its way A TOWERING inferno of an artwork by abstract artist Kerrie Warren will make its debut an outer wall at the Frankston Arts Centre this month. The 4 metre by 6 metre piece, entitled ‘The Bonfire’, by the former Frankston resident is reminiscent of the works of Jackson Pollock and will be displayed on four panels outside the arts centre. Council hopes The Bonfire becomes a focal point on Davey St. Mayor Cr James Dooley said it is the first in a series of artworks to be installed in Frankston’s centre and along the foreshore. “Frankston is developing a reputation as one of Melbourne’s key destinations to experience arts and culture. We look forward to announcing the additional sculptural pieces that
we’ll be adding to our public art collection soon,� Cr Dooley said. The Bonfire will cost $10,000 to display and exhibit for three years and will be funded from council’s annual public art budget, set at $120,000 this financial year. The mayor said council welcomes any opportunity to support local artists but ultimately quality, aesthetic appeal, value and appropriateness for a display space take precedence. “Not all of Frankston City’s public art acquisitions are currently on display. There are more pieces we look forward to unveiling this April,� Cr Dooley said. Warren said she was looking forward to working with council to install The Bonfire at the arts centre. “Photographer Darryl Whitaker
has popped in a couple of times to organise and take very high resolution images of ‘The Bonfire’ for the Frankston City Council and I then worked with Simon Griffin to prepare the image for print‌ it looks fabulous!â€? she said on her kerriewarren. com.au website. Council advised the last independent audit of municipal artworks, carried out in July 2011, valued the city’s public arts collection at about $1.7 million. This figure excluded works owned by McClelland Gallery and Southern Way who display artworks along Peninsula Link. Cr Dooley said “the majority of cultural highlights across the cityâ€? can be viewed by the public for free. Neil Walker
A WATER slide at Frankston’s Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre is out of action after two boys were injured while using the slide. PARC CEO Tim Gledhill confirmed the AquaSphere slide will be closed “for the next few weeks� until an investigation into the incident takes place. The two boys were using the AquaSphere water slide last Saturday (27 February), featuring raft rides for two to four people, when the incident occurred. “Both boys received immediate medical attention from our lifeguard staff before being transferred to hospital where one was treated for concussion and the other boy was diagnosed with a fractured elbow,� Mr Gledhill said. “We are working closely with the manufacturer of the slide, Whitewater West, to investigate the cause of the incident and the slide is anticipated to remain closed for the next few weeks during this process.� The centre will remain open and the AquaPlay aquatic playground featuring multi-level landings and slides is still in use. The 79-metre high AquaSphere, billed as “a thrilling family raft ride featuring high-speed twists and drops, fully enclosed spheres and 90 degree corners�, was closed for ten months after two adults suffered
head injuries on the slide in August 2014. Mr Gledhill said “engineering changes� were made by the slide’s manufacturer after the previous incident. “The current incident is unrelated and will be treated according to the suggestions made by the manufacturer following the investigation,� he said. “The safety of our members and guests is our highest priority and we remain committed to ensuring our visitors have safe and enjoyable experience at all times.� The $49.7 million PARC, funded by the federal government, state government and Frankston Council, opened in late 2014 and the AquaSphere ride was hailed as “a key highlight of the centre�. Frankston Council CEO Dennis Hovenden said PARC advised council immediately of the latest incident on the water slide. “It was noted their first concerns were for the two boys and making sure they were attended to,� Mr Hovenden said. “They advised council of the closure of the ride and that an investigation would follow.� “We are interested in how this is being managed. However, it should be noted that this incident comes after a lengthy period of operation without any incident. “Council is being kept informed and will await further advice.�
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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Frankston Times 7 March 2016
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