Skating ahead at Jubilee Park

Skate and scooter riders should have a new skate park within 18 months following a $107,000 funding injection from Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Project coordinator Richard Crawford says a new skate park in Jubilee Park is wanted because the old skating area beside Te Puke Sports Club in Atuaroa Ave didn't offer features skaters wanted and was in a poorly accessible location.

A new skate park planned for Te Puke is expected to be a hit with local riders and attract others, such as Saul Preshner, Trevarn Parata and Cory Magee from Papamoa, when it opens. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

The council is reallocating $107,000 to the project, which had been earmarked for public toilets in Jubilee Park, but is no longer needed following the upgrade of library toilets.

The money comes from the sale of Jubilee Park, which is on top of $50,000 originally budgeted for a project to upgrade the existing skate facility.

Richard, who got involved in the project through his skating-mad son Johno, says there is strong support from young people for the plan to develop a centrally-located skate area on Jubilee Park.

It will incorporates elements they want – including ledges and banks, central pyramid, ramp and sweeping freestanding bank.

'The kids are really excited. They want it to be in a central location so it's easily accessible and it will also be good to be somewhere its visible, rather than in the back somewhere.”

The skate area will be about 30m x 15m, extending from the end of the playground off Commerce Lane, and will sit on the bottom field with the design incorporating stepped banks up to the top field.

On top of the council funding, the group of skaters are just about to launch their own fundraising with activities such as sausage sizzles and applying for trust grants.

'Our target is to raise $50,000 which will give us more than enough based on project estimates of $160,000-$190,000. We're aiming to start construction in October 2015 with a completion date of February 2016.”

Richard says consultation with key stakeholders shows generally strong support, including from business and property owners who like the idea skaters will the park rather than CBD areas.

He wants more skaters to get involved in the project. To learn more, contact Richard on 021 453696 or email rc.build@ihug.co.nz

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