Who will run the merry-go-round?

The merry go round is the only thing worth looking at in that part of the city. I always put the kids on for a ride when we’re in the area. If they don’t want it I’ll gladly pull it down piece by piece and reassemble it inside a suitable shed at the farm for personal use.

I love the Merry-Go-Round. When my sister came down from Dubbo, we took great glee (as a couple of twenty-somethings) having a ride one Saturday afternoon after blowing bubbles as we wandered through Garema Place. The idea that Canberra has a Merry-Go-Round in the middle of the city that you don’t have to wait for showtime to ride is brilliant!

Seriously, if you work in the city, take a $3 ride on your lunch break – it’s incredibly soothing, and a beautiful way to get in touch with your inner child. (I suggest doing your best Mary Poppins-esque horse race impression – it is magnificent fun!)

I really hope this goes to an NGO who’ll take good care of it, and bring a little bit of life into the service – the gentleman who was on the gate the last couple of times I went in looked extremely bummed to be there. And if they need volunteers for weekends, I’ll gladly throw my hat in the ring.

Masquara said :

Quite cunning on the part of ACT Government. Some wee unsophisticated NGO might sign up for this – and only then discover just how much money and effort goes into keeping this 100-year-old machine going. Engineers, machinists, bespoke parts manufacturers. It has cost the ratepayer a FORTUNE over the years. Then there’s the issue of the heritage-listed paintings. The minute another entity is responsible for the running and maintenance, watch the heritage team require conservation work! Not to mention the insurance costs – they will be massive. Once out of government hands, an insurer will take a hard look at those hoofs inexorably turning above the deck. They go to within two inches of said deck and would crush a skull! They will also note that the MGR’s emergency stop mechanism takes about a minute. Ensure full disclosure please, minister responsible!

The tender currently open for the Civic Merry-Go-Round is for the management and operation of the attraction. The ACT Government will remain the owner of the Merry-Go-Round and will, thus, undertake all routine maintenance, repairs and upgrade work in accordance with the Conservation Management Plan.

I seldom walk in that area at all…partly because there is nothing there worth going to, but also because of the myriad of chuggers and swooping magpies…*shudder. It’s an area of abject horror for me.

It’s a cute merry-go-round but it needs maintenance.

Build an indoor amusement park around it. Stick some mini- golf, bumper cars, laser tag, splash boats, indoor playground and arcade games in there.

It would be fun. I think Canberra should have something like that.

It’s an eyesore that hasn’t been maintained properly (in terms of its general appearance) and is massively under used, i’ve been saying for a long time it should be torn down and the space used for something more useful, although by now im used to being hated at when expressing this opinion.

Move it somewhere else it’s more likely to be used occasionally – sure go for it. Make it operate for free and run for X hours a day on weekends and holidays and funded by the ACT government – not as ideal as getting rid of it but at least then it would get used and actually draw people to the area. Or alternatively just knock it down and then put something clever in the space that will brighten up the immediate area around it.

Flame away, but that merry-go-round is old, ugly, and needs to go, and its time to acknowledge it’s a joke to look at for us and for tourists.

Roundhead89 said :

Let’s get rid of this eyesore. It’s long past its use-by date, it isn’t a tourist attraction and today’s Net-savvy generation with their iPhones and digital downloads has long since moved on. It should be removed and a tourist kiosk/Internet cafe built there.

Get the Hell out of my town you crotchety SOB, you’ve no business here if that’s how you feel.
>:0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtAK86uhr5A

Quite cunning on the part of ACT Government. Some wee unsophisticated NGO might sign up for this – and only then discover just how much money and effort goes into keeping this 100-year-old machine going. Engineers, machinists, bespoke parts manufacturers. It has cost the ratepayer a FORTUNE over the years. Then there’s the issue of the heritage-listed paintings. The minute another entity is responsible for the running and maintenance, watch the heritage team require conservation work! Not to mention the insurance costs – they will be massive. Once out of government hands, an insurer will take a hard look at those hoofs inexorably turning above the deck. They go to within two inches of said deck and would crush a skull! They will also note that the MGR’s emergency stop mechanism takes about a minute. Ensure full disclosure please, minister responsible!

Let’s get rid of this eyesore. It’s long past its use-by date, it isn’t a tourist attraction and today’s Net-savvy generation with their iPhones and digital downloads has long since moved on. It should be removed and a tourist kiosk/Internet cafe built there.