A joint partnership between Central Coast Council, The Jimmy Jurd Fund and Centra Projects will see the delivery of a new play space to Chittaway Bay Lions Park, paying tribute to a special local resident.

The play space will be upgraded in part from a fund set up for Jimmy Jurd, who at the age of one was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour, then inoperable in Australia.  Funds were raised for his treatment but Jimmy sadly passed before the treatment could start. A portion of the funds raised will now be used to upgrade this play space in his honour at the request of his family.

Director of Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling, confirmed Council has awarded a contract for upgrades to the park. The upgrade will be to the value of $110,000 with $70,000 from Council’s operational budget and a $40,000 contribution from the Jimmy Jurd Fund – with preliminary designs underway.

“We are proud to partner with the Jimmy Jurd Fund to honour Jimmy’s memory and to create a play space the community and visitors to our region will enjoy for years to come,” Mr Dowling said.

“Our building contractor, Centra Projects, have also generously agreed to manage the project construction at cost, making the most of every available dollar for the upgrade of this play space”.

“When completed, the play space will include a pirate ship themed climbing unit, swings, spinner and a nature play space for children of all ages”.

Natalie Gilmour Jurd, Jimmy’s mother, said the family were overwhelmed by the support of the community during Jimmy’s illness and wanted to give something back.

“The Jimmy Jurd Fund was set up to raise awareness and assist children and their families in the fight against brain cancer,” Ms Gilmour Jurd said.

“Jimmy loved the outdoors, and Chittaway Bay holds a special place in our hearts as it is where we live and where our son and his friends loved to play together.”

The play space design and selection of play equipment is currently being finalised with input from the Jimmy Jurd Fund, with construction due to commence by May 2018.