Iconic rocket slide gets a boost

The old slide at Memorial Park is to be removed. PHOTO/JOHN BORREN

When Tauranga's new rocket slide lands next year it will be even more iconic than the old one, a Tauranga City Council statement says.

It said it was in part thanks to Project Tauranga partners Placemakers, who were now working with the council to give the new rocket a boost.

News that Memorial Park's iconic rocket slide was due to be replaced hit the stratosphere, with 15,000 people viewing Tauranga City Council's Facebook rocket slide posts.

It also captured the attention of the team at Placemakers Mount Maunganui.

Branch Operator Matt Orr said, "A lot of our staff grew up here and it was a big part of their childhood enjoying that slide as kids. It's an important community asset."

The new rocket was being designed with input from parks staff and with Placemakers who would provide construction materials.

Mr Orr said Placemakers also wanted to get their staff involved in the construction.

"We're passionate about putting effort into supporting the community that supports us,"

Project Tauranga manager Michael Vujnovich was thrilled with the support that Placemakers had offered.

"We already knew we needed to do the new rocket justice, and with Placemakers coming on board it gives us more scope to produce something really special for the city," Mr Vujnovich said.

The original rocket slide was built in the 1960s before it was replaced by the current slide in 1985 and was due for renewal next year but the slide had to be closed last month after it failed a safety inspection.

The old slide would be dismantled next week with some parts being salvaged to live on in the new slide. The new rocket would be built next year in a more prominent location nearer to the Memorial Park fountain.