The George Gregan Foundation enlisted the support of the ACT community to help raise funds to build an all access outdoor playground at The Canberra Hospital. Over $300,000 has been donated so far. The ACT Brumbies led the charge by supporting the Foundation's fundraising efforts at every stage.

Other key supporters of the Canberra playground to date include our generous builders – Baulderstone Hornibrook, Bovis Lend Lease, Bluesand Foundation, Bendigo Bank (Calwell/Wanniassa Community), Health Services Australia Group, 104.7fm, Vikings Rugby Club, the Ernst & Young Foundation and John and Jenny Gregan who have worked tirelessly as volunteers for the Foundation in the ACT.

The Foundation had planned to build and open this playground in 2008, however in June 2008 the ACT Government announced a major redevelopment of The Canberra Hospital which has unfortunately postponed the construction of the playground.

The first stage of the redevelopment includes the construction of a Women's and Children's Hospital within the existing Canberra Hospital campus. The government has allocated $90 million to this project which it expects to complete by 2012.

The Foundation remains committed to building an all access playground at The Canberra Hospital and the money raised to date is being held in trust for this important project. The Chief Executive of ACT Health has provided The Foundation with a commitment that the George Gregan Foundation playground will be accommodated as part of the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Further details of the redevelopment can be viewed at www.health.act.gov.au. Follow the links to “Your Health-Our Priority Stage 2” to see the preliminary plans. The Women’s and Children’s Hospital will be located at the northern end of the Campus and the playground will be located in or around that building.

We have met with the architects of the new hospital.  The Schematic Design stage of the project has been completed and they are now progressing on the Developed Design phase. The playground will be located in the outpatients’ courtyard in an area of approximately 500 square meters and will be constructed as part of the second stage of the redevelopment which is due to be completed by June 2012.

Click here for a list of supporters of The Canberra Hospital Project.

Click here for a list of equipment generously donated for the Canberra playground.