A new youth space is to be officially opened in Fordlands this weekend, boasting a skatepark, two basketball half-courts, a netball court, fields and BMX dirt mounds at the Wrigley Rd Reserve.
Even before the facilities are finished they are getting the approval of locals. Abe Davies, 13, said the
park would get well used. "It's all right for down in [Fordlands] and will help keep all the troublemakers out of trouble."
Hohepa Te Kani, 13, said the park was "mean as" and meant he didn't have to go into town. "It's good for us young ones. We need something to do."
Fordlands resident Toni Leighton said plenty of kids had been using the uncompleted park. "The kids are making the most of it and the council are working hard ... to complete all the work on time."
Rotorua District Council youth projects officer Jill Campbell said the grand opening would be a fun day to celebrate the hard work carried out by the council team, local youth and Ko Te Tuara Totara O Fordlands community group. Netball, touch rugby, and rippa rugby competitions were some of the events planned for the opening. "The new youth space is going to have such a positive effect on the Fordlands community that we want to kick off with a special opening event that offers a real celebration for people of all ages. There'll be all kinds of fun activities for families to enjoy ..."
