Rotten skate ramp set for removal

RISK: Whangarei District Councillor Brian McLachlan leads members of the Onerahi Community Association in dismantling the large skate ramp at Onerahi after it was deemed unsafe. PHOTO/RON BURGIN

A rotten and condemned skate ramp at Onerahi will be fully removed this weekend after community members demolished most of the structure on Sunday.

The large wooden skate ramp beside the New World supermarket at Onerahi has been deemed a health and safety risk and on Sunday members of the Onerahi Community Association, with help from some Community Work participants, started the demolition work.

Whangarei District Council parks technical officer Spencer Jellyman said the large and small wooden skate ramps at Onerahi were among the council's oldest parks assets and it was hoped they could both be replaced.

However, he said, a recent health and safety audit found that the large ramp had to be demolished as it was a health and safety risk, while the small ramp needed urgent repairs.

The smaller ramp has already been recovered and is now ready for use, while the remainder of the larger ramp will be removed this weekend, Whangarei District Councillor and community association member Brian McLachlan said. He said when the structure was ripped apart many of the wooden piles and supports were rotten.

Mr McLachlan said the volunteer work meant the council could then use money saved to make repairs to the smaller ramp so it can be used safely.

It's hoped the council can put aside funding in the 2014/15 annual plan to replace both ramps, but in the meantime the small ramp can continue to be used.

Mr McLachlan said the association wanted to make the skate park safer by pitching in to help.