Skate
park users are
excited at the
prospect of an
upgrade.
PHOTO/BEN FRASER
Skate
park users are
excited at the
prospect of an
upgrade.
PHOTO/BEN FRASER
Plans are under way for a major revamp of Rotorua's skate park - which could cost anything up to $4 million.
Rotorua Lakes Council's sport and recreation portfolio leader, councillor Charles Sturt, said the skate park on the corner of Ranolf and Amohau Sts was "the pits" and after feedbackreceived during consultation on the council's 2015-25 long-term plan he and council staff had been putting together options for its redevelopment.
"It's very early days," Mr Sturt said. "But we have engaged with the skateboard, inline skating, roller skating and scooter-riding community to see what they want. Read more: • Westbrook netball courts get $1.5m upgrade (+video)
"The most expensive option is around $4m for the creme de la creme of skate parks, with the least expensive option about $400,000.
"Planning is in its infancy at this stage and we are also looking at options for the existing park with a report coming back to the council regarding options and costings in the next few months."
Mr Sturt said the council had discussed options in a confidential session and councillors were committed to "doing something for the kids and the many adults who love to skate".
Rotorua skate park. Photo/Ben Fraser
He said he hoped the local philanthropic community that had "oodles of money" would be prepared to back the plans when they were decided on "so, hopefully, it will come at little or no cost to ratepayers".
"When we consulted most people said they wanted it to be in the same place because it's safe and secure, is fenced and is out in the open and well lit."
The council's sports and recreation manager, Rob Pitkethley, said the park was being looked at as a multi-use facility.
"We're in discussions with current skate park users to get input into development of options to then take out to the wider community," he said.
"However, we would first need to get approval from council to continue to progress with this and that won't happen until we have options and costings firmed up - we're not at that stage yet."
Skate park users spoken to by the Rotorua Daily Post yesterday said the park was run down and needed a lot of work, but they were making do with what they had.
They were excited at the prospect of an upgrade and were pleased the council was thinking about them.
"It's been pretty crappy for a few years," one scooter rider said.
"We want some new concrete ramps, because they are better than wood, and maybe a roof for when it's raining.
"There's so many kids who use it," another skater said.
"There's scooter riders and skaters and guys who ride their BMX bikes, I hope they can fit us all in," another scooter rider said.
"I'd like to see a street plaza with lots of rails and jumps.
"It's got to be better than what we have - there's screws sticking out and the rails shake and move - we deal with it, but it could be way better."
