Carroll builder Darren Loftus and his team were ­given the job of creating an innovative “play and learn outdoors” area at the centre after it was awarded a $5000 grant from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.

Centre manager Wayne Griffiths said the project aimed to give the children a new and important outdoors learning area.

“We were fortunate to receive funding from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal for the project and, when combined with our savings, were able to get someone local to do the job,” Mr Griffiths said.

Mr Loftus was given an initial brief, and worked with the centre’s staff to create the ideal structure.

“Thanks to Darren’s planning and ingenuity we have ended up with a great result,” Mr Griffiths said.

The play structure is made of merbau timber and includes two slippery slides with water feature, a climbing wall, ropes wall, noughts and crosses game, cubbyhouse and stepping stones.

“Our plans continued to change throughout the project so that every side of the cubby was fun and functional for the kids,” Mr Loftus said.

“Everything was designed as a learning curve so that the kids learn as they play.”

Mr Loftus and his team spent nearly three weeks building the cubby, which was installed at the centre late last week.

The children’s initial reactions to the cubby have been overwhelmingly positive.

“So far the kids have loved playing on it, particularly the two slides.”