Cheap family fun

By Melissa Grant
PAKENHAM’S PB Ronald Reserve may soon become a hive of activity for local families during the school holidays.
Everything from sports to scouts could soon be held at the reserve as part of a plan to provide low-cost activities for school-age children in the midst of the economic downturn.
Cardinia Shire Coun-cillor Collin Ross has flag-ged the idea after seeing a similar program in the coastal holiday town of Warrnambool.
Warrnambool City Council runs a three-week summer fun activity program each year, featuring an array of activities including jewellery making, Tai Chi, croquet, woodwork, silk painting, creative kids craft and animation workshops.
All activities are under $8, with about half free of charge.
Cr Ross said the council would look at setting up a marquee at PB Ronald Reserve, building on Warrnambool’s summer program.
“For starters, I don’t think you have to recreate the wheel and spend thousands on consultants,” he said.
“We’d be looking at everything from sport activities to craft activities to things like guide scouts, karate, dancing and educational activities as well.
“I think it would be more successful here consider-ing our younger demographic.”
Cr Ross, who has two young children, said the program would benefit families, especially in the economic crisis.
“Now that people won’t be able to holiday as much and will be doing it a lot tougher, if you had low-cost activities it would be great,” he said.
“Sometimes you just feel at the end of the school holidays that they’ve been home for five weeks, you’re lost for things to do.
“Youth activities are good, but if you go to Luna Park that’s about $20 and for four kids could cost you $80.
“This will give families a choice.”
Cr Ross said the program would more than likely be piloted during the summer school holidays.
He urged youth and their parents to offer suggestions for the program.
>>> What low-cost activities should the council offer? Let us know what you think to melissa.grant@starnewsgroup.com.au on email.