Skate park for all wheels takes shape

Construction of Onerahi's new skate park is well under way and is hoped to be completed early next month. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Skaters will soon be able to try a new safe skate park at Onerahi.

Last year the rotten plywood ramps at the Onerahi complex were deemed a health and safety concern and removed.

Now, construction of a new concrete skate park is well under way.

It is set to open by the beginning of next month.

Whangarei District Council parks technical officer Spencer Jellyman said the new skate park was targeted at younger people but said some aspects of the park also catered to the more experienced board rider.

"There's things like humps and ramps for the younger ones and quarter pipes and half pipes for the more experienced," he said. "The younger people are our target because there is the one in Riverside which the experienced can use," he said.

Mr Jellyman said unlike the wooden ramp, which was only used by bikers near the end of its life, the new skate park would be safe to use for "all wheels".

"It looks like it's going to be a great asset for the kids. It will be great to see people out there on their skateboards, bikes, blades and scooters," he said

Mr Jellyman said construction of the $110,000 project started in early April and everything had gone smoothly so far.

"It's all been fine. We've had no problems with weather so hopefully it stays that way."

Mr Jellyman said the park was due to open early next month..

"Once it's completed a dawn blessing will be held before it's opened."