City may seek sponsorship for water park
A business could secure a rare naming rights sponsorship deal which would be used to pay for part of Bunbury City Council's multi-million dollar water playground on Leschenault Inlet.
Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said the council needed to think "creatively" to fund construction of the most anticipated project during his reign.
While naming rights sponsorships are popular for sports teams and stadiums, including the deal to name Subiaco Oval Domain Stadium, it is rare for a WA council to offer to sell naming rights for community-owned assets to businesses.
Mining giant BHP Billiton will spend $10 million to build a water playground, dubbed the BHP Billiton Water Park, at Elizabeth Quay in Perth.
The total construction cost of Bunbury's water playground is expected to be reported to the council later this year, but it is estimated to be at least $1 million to $2 million.
Mr Brennan confirmed the council would also seek State Government funding for the water playground's construction.
"We haven't explored this fully but informally we are looking at private sector funding including naming rights," he said.
"We can approach this quite creatively and we will.
"We will wait until we get the costings back from this consultancy and then when we know what each piece of equipment costs we will look at creative ways to approach the private sector."
Architect Josh Byrne and Associates will sub-contract another company, Water Features by Design, to come up with a concept for the water playground, which will include costings.
The council says it wants the playground to be used by families with young children however the council also plans to include features for older children and adults.
The council wants the playground to help a child's development, as well as be used by the public in all seasons.
Mr Brennan said the project, which had received positive feedback from ratepayers, was Bunbury's most talked about project.
The Department of Local Government said there was nothing in the law that prevented a local government from selling the naming rights for a community-owned asset.
LATEST NEWS
Builders Brief To Get Saucy Calendar
Fuel Price Gouge Hits Rural Drivers
"Secret" Daughter Wins $25m In Battle Over Father's Will
Massive Weekend Line-Up For Bunbury
Bunbury Pensioner Caught In Scam
