7 March 2006

Come and play in the CBD's sandpit

The key elements of the iconic kiwi summer, sand and water, will bring the inner city to life this week with the transformation of Britomart's Takutai Square into a giant sandpit.

The installation, called Castles in the Sand, is part of Auckland City's Living Room series and runs from Thursday 9 March until Sunday 26 March.

The giant sandpit contains oversized props including a two metre high bucket and a sandcastle so large it can be walked through by small children.

The intention of Castles in the Sand is to create a space in Auckland's CBD for families with young children.

Auckland City's events manager, Pitsch Leiser encourages playcentres, crèches and families to bring their children into the central city to play in the giant sandpit.

"Castles in the Sand is a great opportunity for young children to enjoy a unique space in the CBD created especially for them," says Mr Leiser.

Castles in the Sand is part of Living Room, a series of installations and activities funded by the CBD targeted rate that seeks to enliven the CBD's public spaces.

Other happenings taking place in the CBD from March until May as part of the Living Room series include Proverbial Auckland, Morning Tea, Axminster, Pallet Maze, Multicultimedia, Living Lamps, Skeletons in the Closet and Musical Bus Stops.

The Living Room series is funded from the CBD targeted rate and is a key action of Auckland's CBD Into the future strategy, which aims to transform Auckland's CBD into one of the world's most vibrant and dynamic business and cultural centres.

For more details on the Living Room 'happenings' or the CBD strategy, visit http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/cbd

ENDS

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