John St Square chessboard now permanent

The giant chessboard in Pyrmont’s John St Square will become a permanent fixture, the City of Sydney Council has announced.

The chessboard, which was installed in March after local residents asked Council to ‘activate’ the square, will be a permanent feature after its trial period was deemed a success.

Garry Harding, Director of City Operations, said the chessboard had fostered a positive social environment during the trial.

“The chessboard has revitalised the square, providing residents and workers with a valuable new community space where they can improve their knowledge, learn from local players, or enjoy some healthy competition,” said Mr Harding.

“We have public chessboards in locations throughout the City, and we know it’s an exciting way to unite the community.”

Elizabeth Elenius, Convenor of Pyrmont Action, said she was grateful to Council for listening to residents’ feedback.

“This came about because locals really wanted to see more activity in John St Square, which was a bit of a dead zone,” she said.

“It’s good to see Council listening to the wishes of residents.”

Ms Elenius said she hoped the chessboard would be one of a number of options for enlivening the area.

“We want to see the square activated in sympathetic and compatible ways with projects like the chessboard.”

A hopscotch court for children and regular public markets could join the chessboard to help enliven the square, said Ms Elenius.

“The overriding factor is that anything which activates the square must be sensitive and compatible with the residents in nearby apartments,” she said.

Ms Elenius said Friends of the Pyrmont Community Centre maintained a list of keen chess players who meet once a month to battle it out in John St Square.

She also praised the Pyrmont Point Hotel, which was assisting the initiative by setting up the giant chess pieces each day and storing them overnight.