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Construction of the new skate park at Thames' Porritt Park will get underway in October, says the Thames-Coromandel District Council.

Part of the Active Thames 2018 programme, the skate park will complement the upgraded playground area and goal is to have it completed for people to use over the summer.

Powerco chief executive Nigel Barbour with Thames-Coromandel mayor Glenn Leach and deputy mayor Peter French at the site of new skate park at Thames' Porritt Park. File Photo.

Designed by Rich Landscapes, the skate park features a 1.5m and 1.2m high mini ramps, a low pyramid with ledge, kinked flat round rail and sculptural ‘Nugget' manual boxes strategically located through the street section area with a wide turnaround 0.95m high quarter pipe at the far end.

Thames area manager Greg Hampton says the designers poured as many requests as possible into the park design budget provided by the Thames Community Board in conjunction Powerco.

'[They've] released a family-friendly design with the potential for a future pump track extension. The design not only had to fit within budget, but had to avoid building over underground sewer pipes,” says Greg.

'These areas have been turned into a green space and spectator area instead. Perfect for parents watching their little ones and avoiding the obvious problems of having manhole covers in the way of their scooters.”

Along with the new skatepark, a more child-friendly and high-value play structure is being planned, which will see the removal of the Wakatere replica boat which was built by the Lions Club of Thames in 1969.

A community group has now been formed to investigate the possibility of dismantling and relocating the Wakatere replica to another site in Thames and then repurposing it as a memorial or some other, non-playground equipment, purpose.

A 3D rendering of the new skate and scooter park design. Video: TCDC/YouTube

The new skate park is one of three big projects that are being constructed as part of council's Active Thames 2018 initiative. Along with the skate park, the Thames Indoor Sports Facility and Rhodes Park will offer more to the region's large sporting and family populations.

The project has been made possible by a huge number of sponsors including major supporter energy company Powerco.

Chief Executive Nigel Barbour says the Active Thames 2018 is a fantastic concept and Powerco is proud to be a major supporter.

'We are thrilled to be involved with this project, including the skate park, which will give locals a family-friendly space for skateboarding, scootering and other activities,” says Nigel.

For more information about how you can support Active Thames 2018's Skate Park, Thames Indoor Sports Facility and Rhodes Park projects, call Mary Hamilton on 027 503 5505.