Sutcliffe Play was challenged with re-developing a tired playground in Sakhalin, a Russian island in the Pacific Ocean.
Sakhalin is 50 miles north of Japan and has a total population of approximately 200,000 people, most of which live in the southern part of the island due to the extreme climate conditions. In winter the weather is down to minus 40 C including an average of 30ft of snow, compared to the summer months when the temperature peaks to over 35°C. Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (SEIC), the world’s largest integrated oil and gas project, based on Sakhalin Island, sought to redevelop its recreation area to better serve its employees and their families needs.
SEIC’s facility employees over 2,500 people, 35% of its current workforce is made up of British, Australian and Dutch. Around 800-1000 children from these local families live near the site and the restoration and development of the playground was to cater for all their needs.
SEIC wanted to renovate an existing play area, as well as installing a new area, to serve its employees that lived on-site. The existing area was primarily aimed at younger children whereas the new area would need to be aimed at a wider age range – up to teens. Both areas were currently grassed or sanded but going forward required safety surfaces.
Sutcliffe Play carefully considered the brief and the two extreme climate extremes and proposed a play area design, with suitable sustainable play equipment that could offer children, from toddlers to teenagers, challenging and exciting play opportunities. Whilst quoting for installation as well as supply, it became clear that is was going to be more cost effective for SEIC to arrange the installation more locally.
Sutcliffe Play provided a selection of equipment on a supply only basis including Stepping Pods, Dish Roundabout, Style Swing with one pod and one inclusive seat, Long Climb Playzone unit for juniors and a Hide and Slide unit for toddlers.
In addition the toddler play area features a Back to Back Roundabout, Inclusive and Ladybird Springies, Play House and Castle. Designed to be accessible by all abilities, the Castle allows children to crawl or climb up into the equipment and use their imagination to create various play scenarios.