Memorial Park's rocket slide has departed for its final mission as contractors work towards returning a modernised model back to earth early next year.

Contractors began dismantling the iconic rocket slide this morning after it was closed last month after failing a safety inspection.

Placemakers trade and sales manager Nev Eades, branch operator Matt Orr and Tauranga City Council project manager Michael Vujnovich next to the Memorial Park rocket slide. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

News of the closure captured the attention of Placemakers Mount Maunganui, who were keen to step in and help save the slide.

As a result they are now working with Tauranga City Council to give the new rocket a boost. The existing slide will be taken away and a new rocket, designed with input from parks staff, will take its place.

Project Tauranga manager Michael Vujnovich says the slide will be fully dismantled and removed today, with the team attempting to retain pieces of the slide that can be retained for the new version.

Parts of the existing slide, including the rocket cone, will be kept in case they can be incorporated into the new design.

Design plans are currently underway but Michael can disclose the new slide will be four meters tall - double the height of the original slide, and there are visions of bringing the safer slide into the 21st century.

'It's going to be a humungous slide and it's going to be more rocket like,” he says.

'The old one that is there is a rocket slide and iconic in its own right but we want to make it into a rocket slide, not just a slide with a cone on the top.”

The original was built in the 1960s. It was replaced by the current slide in 1985 and was due for renewal next year before being closed.

The new rocket slide is expected to land in early 2015 and be built in a more prominent location nearer to the Memorial Park fountain.