Waipā District Council has just released their
final concept designs for the Te Awamutu Skatepark at Centennial Park.
Council held consultations in December 2021,
seeking feedback from the skate community for the Cambridge and Te Awamutu
concept plans. The response was impressive with 90 people completing the survey
and providing their input. Jake Gunn and Jhai Fellingnam both won a skateboard
as part of the feedback process.
The new concept plans are a full refresh and
upgrade of the existing skateparks in Centennial Park, Te Awamutu and on
Dominion Road, Cambridge.
Acting Community Services Manager Brad Ward
said Council has taken into account all the feedback and incorporated it into
the concept plans where possible, while still catering for all skill levels and
working to the site and budget constraints.
“Following the feedback, the changes we have
made to the concept designs are creating a hang out zone between the skatepark
and basketball court that has shade and seating.”
“The shade near the bowl has been relocated to
the hang out zone, an euro bank has been added to the stairs and we have
changed the upper quarter pipe arrangement to a 5 foot and 3.5 foot quarter
with a seating area between.”
“We have also shortened the top area leading
into the main hubbas and stair set by a metre.”
Council had planned a further drop in session
to present the final concept plan for Te Awamutu to answer any questions about
the new changes. However, due to the increasing presence of Omicron in the
community and the move to Red within the COVID-19 Protection Framework, the
drop in session will now be conducted online.
The online drop in session will be on
Wednesday 23 February, 7:00pm – 8:00pm via Zoom. Participants will be able to
join the webinar where Antony Leggett from Acid NZ will be explaining the Te
Awamutu concept plan in-depth and answering any questions.
“The online drop in session is a great
opportunity for the community to come, ask questions and learn in depth about
the upgraded skatepark.”
Acid NZ, alongside head contractor Fluhler
Contracting Limited, were the successful tenderers for the Play Spaces Renewal
and Development Contract which includes the skate parks design and builds.
The next step in the project will be starting
construction on the Te Awamutu Skatepark in late March/early April and at the
end of February, the Council will have the updated concept design for the
Cambridge Skatepark which will be re-shared with the community.
Construction at the Te Awamutu site is estimated
to take six months and most of Centennial Park around the skate facility,
basketball court and main carpark will closed during the construction. The
basketball court may need to be closed for part of the construction period but
the public will be advised closer to the time.
The construction at Centennial Park links into
other development work there, such as a parkour space and other play features
aimed at the rangatahi/teenage demographic.
Further refinement of the Te Awamutu Skatepark
design may also be required to accommodate the outcomes of the ongoing drainage
investigations.
Council is currently in the process of
identifying appropriate sites for the future Pirongia and Kihikihi skateparks.
To join the online webinar or to see the Te
Awamutu Skatepark concept plans go to
waipadc.govt.nz/waipa-skate-parks.
