Potential new sites for Kihikihi skate park

Two potential Kihikihi skate park locations have been removed from active consideration and two new sites are to be investigated.

Waipā District Council began talking to the community in August about three potential locations for a new Kihikihi skate park. They were the old Kihikihi landfill site on Leslie St, Kihikihi Domain and a site behind the town hall.

Community services manager Brad Ward said after a geotechnical investigation undertaken while discussions were underway, the old landfill site on Leslie St has been ruled out. The challenges associated with landfill make the site cost prohibitive, he said.

“The Kihikihi Domain is currently also off the table following discussions which confirmed stakeholders were strongly against a skate park at the domain.”

Council is now re-investigating two other sites previously discounted, alongside the potential site behind the town hall.

”As soon as we can confirm if these new locations are viable, we’ll be letting the community know,” Ward said.

“Getting the right location is important. It needs to be central for residents, spacious enough for the skate park, culturally appropriate and align with the needs of community groups and existing local events.”

Kihikihi’s new skatepark will largely be funded through community fundraising with Council contributing some of the cost. The Kihikihi-based Te Paparoa Committee Group has already started fundraising and is looking for further financial support. More information is on their website, at www.tepaparoaskatepark.com.

Construction of the skate park is tentatively planned for February 2024.