Have your say in your local skatepark
Next week Waipā District Council is holding drop-in sessions at the Te Awamutu and Cambridge skateparks for people to learn more about the concept plans to upgrade the skateparks.
The two existing Waipā skateparks are a fan favourites and loved by many but are now due for a refresh to include new elements, said Acting Community Services Manager Brad Ward.
“Both skate parks in Te Awamutu and Cambridge require significant maintenance, and we received a strong message from our skate users through the Long Term Plan community engagement to renew the skate parks.
The renewal of the two facilities will precede the development of a further two skate parks – one in Kihikihi and the other in Pirongia – which will commence community engagement next year.
“We have listened to the community and have put together a draft concept plan to upgrade the skate parks with help from a specialist skate park contractor and now we want to hear what our community thinks of the ideas.” said Ward.
Ward said the draft concept plans were created to maximise skate potential while keeping within the location sites and budget constraints.
“We recognise there has been a lack of space and suitable skate facilities in the district for Waipā youth and we want to address that.”
“The beauty of it is that those developing the draft concept plans are skaters too. So they have a really good grasp on how to maximise function and flow considering our site parameters and budget envelopes.”
“The renewed skate parks aim to cater for all skill levels and provide a fun space for youth to be active with their friends and for families to enjoy.”
The skatepark concept plans are centered around activities across a range of user groups including street skating, transition, bowl skating, scootering and biking.
”Now we need our skate park users and wider community to give us their feedback on the draft concept plans for Te Awamutu and Cambridge and we’ve put together a bit of an incentive to help encourage people to have their say.
“Everyone who gives feedback on the skatepark designs will go into the draw to win a custom skateboard from Acid Skate NZ,” added Ward.
Te Awamutu drop-in sessions will be held at Centennial Park on Rewi Street, between 4:30pm – 6:00pm, Wednesday 1 December, and 1:00pm – 2:30pm, Saturday 4 December 2021.
Cambridge drop-in sessions will be held at the Dominion Ave skate park between 4:30pm – 6:00pm, Friday 3 December and 3.30pm – 5pm, Saturday 4 December.
Once feedback has been received and collated, Council will incorporate the feedback where possible into the skate park concept plans and then hold further drop-in times with the skate community to ensure the plans are right.
Council are currently looking at the intricacies of sites for the two new skate parks on the cards for Pirongia and Kihikihi villages, said Ward.
“As there is a bit more involved when you start from scratch, the Pirongia and Kihikihi skate parks community engagement will commence next year. So we will be starting conversations with mana whenua, skate park users and the wider communities once we have done some preliminary site optioneering of possible sites.”
For more information and to check out the concept plans click here.
