Beenleigh is ready to buzz again with the opening of the redeveloped Town Square and a free family movie night on Friday, July 30.
Logan City Council’s Town Square makeover includes an innovative art-inspired shade solution that becomes a colourful light show at night.
The shade solution is created by 457 circular aluminium discs that feature laser-cut designs from City of Logan artists Madhu Khanna and June Hintz.
Other works by local artists Mary Barron and Kyra Mancktelow will feature in nearby streetscape works while the popular Tree of Life mural in the heart of the square, by Jacobs Well artist Don Waters, will be given a protective coating to ensure its longevity.
The Town Square reopening and free family film night comes as the site was named this week as an official Olympics Live fan venue.
Action from the Tokyo Olympics is being shown free each day of the Games from 9am through to late evening on the Square’s big screen.
Economic Development Chair, Deputy Mayor Jon Raven said the Town Square upgrade was one of the priorities identified at the Council-hosted Beenleigh Summit in 2017.
“Beenleigh has enormous economic potential and Council has worked hard with the local community and businesses to make the city centre more accessible and vibrant,” Councillor Raven said.
“We want this $1.2 million investment in Beenleigh to activate the Town Square day and night to encourage more people to visit, shop and work in Beenleigh.”
Division 12 Councillor Karen Murphy thanked business owners and the local community for their patience during the Town Square upgrade and nearby streetscaping works.
“The rejuvenation of Beenleigh is exciting and I encourage everyone to visit and enjoy our new-look city centre and support our local businesses,” Cr Murphy said.
Local traders welcomed the reopening of the square which will also see the return of the night markets as well as hosting other community gatherings and events.
Denise Jackson, who runs The Dry Cleaner Beenleigh in Main Street, described Beenleigh City Centre as friendly and welcoming.
“Everyone who comes here is treated like family,” she said.
“With all these wonderful upgrade works, it is good times ahead for Beenleigh.”
Fellow Main Street shop owner Anj Pieper, of Luv-a-Coffee Beenleigh, said many Beenleigh businesses are locally owned and operated.
“Now is the time for our community to get out and support local businesses so we are all there for many years to come.”
The free movie next Friday is the 2020 hit Dolitte, starring Robert Downey Jnr. The family comedy is about a doctor who can speak with animals.
The ceremony and entertainment for the reopening of the Town Square begins at 4pm. The free movie screens from 5.30pm to 7.10pm, followed by the resumption of the Tokyo Olympics coverage.
Patrons are encouraged to bring a chair or picnic rug. This is a no-alcohol event and pets are not permitted. Queensland Health directions will apply on masks and social distancing.
The Beenleigh Town Square shade solution was delivered through joint funding from Council and the Queensland Government’s Unite and Recover fund.
