The playcentre, which was granted the funds by the board last week, will continue fundraising towards the $4000 cost of the pergola, which is needed to weatherproof the area.
Sawyers Bay Playcentre president Sam Hesketh said the group had been working on upgrading the centre, and had installed double doors and a deck to improve flow between the sandpit and inside.
At present, the sandpit was only sheltered from the weather by shade cloth, which did not keep out the rain, Mrs Hesketh said.
Sawyers Bay Playcentre had a difficult year in 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but had recently had a significant growth in the number of families participating.
‘‘We decided to go fees free for active members, and have found that parents are very keen to get involved,’’ Mrs Hesketh said.
