Park-path plan for sick kids
Plans are on track to build a multimillion-dollar pedestrian bridge over Winthrop Avenue to link Perth's new children hospital to Kings Park.
The Kings Park Link project has passed early approvals and includes an upgrading of the path to the Synergy playground so sick children in wheelchairs can have a break from hospital to see their friends and pets.
Although the State Government supports the concept, the overpass will be totally funded by the hospital's main fundraising arm, the PMH Foundation, which has set a cap of $6 million for the project.
It will be part of the $30 million the foundation plans to raise for the hospital by the time it opens in late 2015, with $10 million raised so far.
PMH Foundation chief executive Denys Pearce said the pedestrian link project was progressing well.
"We have in-principle agreement from the Botanic Gardens and Park Authority and the QEII Medical Centre Trust, and there are other parties we need to get approval from like Main Roads and councils but we can't do that until we have a design," he said.
Under its contract with the Government, the hospital's builder John Holland was offered first option to design and build the bridge but had declined.
"The hospital project team will now offer the design out to tender, and then we'll know what the cost will be, and after that we'll be able to put it out to tender for construction," Mr Pearce said.
"Our intention is that, subject to getting all the necessary approvals, the bridge will be in place and operational by the time the hospital opens."
Mr Pearce said a key focus was to make the hospital less daunting for children and parents.
"We've had feedback that access to recreational facilities is important not just inside, but outside hospital, and we've got wonderful Kings Park just over the road," he said.
"It will allow patients to maintain contact with pets and have birthday parties, which can't be facilitated in the hospital environment."
