Pirongia skatepark on the right track

Young people who helped design Pirongia’s first skatepark have given a ‘big thumbs up’ to the final plans.

The park, which will feature a variety of quarter pipes, bowls, ramps and ledges, will be located next to the Pirongia Rugby and Sports Club, on a Waipā District Council owned site at 341 Franklin Street.

Council allocated $100,000 through its 2021-31 Long Term Plan for site selection, planning, consenting and design. The Pirongia Skatepark Community Project is working to raise $800,000 for construction, including offering supporters the chance to have their names engraved on a brick at the skatepark.

Community services manager Brad Ward said feedback on the proposed layout and features of the park showed the council has its plans right.

Nearly 140 people participated in the consultation last August through an online and hardcopy survey, a drop-in session and an engagement session at Pirongia School. Most of the responses came from Pirongia School students, with 87 percent of feedback from tamariki aged 15 and younger.

Ward said it was great to hear from so many young people about a project the Pirongia community has been passionate about for years, and it helped the project team finalise a design the town could be proud of.

“Doing early engagement in 2023 helped significantly. It gave us valuable insight into what Pirongia wanted in their future skatepark, from the skill level to the features included.

“Now the community group can focus on fundraising and applying for grants. We’re all excited to see this project come to life and to provide Pirongia with a valuable asset for future generations.”

To get involved and help fundraise for the future Pirongia skatepark, please visit www.pirongiaskatepark.nz/.