Castlecliff skate park opens with a bang

CASTLECLIFF'S brand new skate/BMX park opened with a bang on Saturday and a bang for the buck.
Progress Castlecliff chair Ted Frost said several hundred people crowded the playground area and upper car park at Castlecliff Domain throughout the day for the official opening.
The opening celebrated a double achievement; not only had the park been built but it was also a debt-free asset. Mr Frost said the park cost $160,000 with the finances carefully controlled by treasurer Mike Andrews as the project progressed.
He said while it had been a beautiful day, sea conditions developed enough to kick off with a surf competition, followed by basketball and skateboard events conducted in several age groups.
The judges were some of New Zealand's top skaters from Auckland, with commentaries by champion skater Chey Ataria. The official opening started with a karakia by kaumatua John Maihi.
Mr Frost said the community group was proud to have been able to start and carry through a project aimed at improving recreation facilities for Castlecliff youngsters.
He thanked and congratulated the designer, James Blas, who saw the project through to completion as project manager.
"Although it is a local youth facility, it had attracted attention from far afield, including web pages which had already drawn skaters from overseas," Mr Frost said.
He said Castlecliff Linking Group chairperson Ailsa Stewart then spoke of the various developments carried through by Castlecliff community groups in recent years including a boat slipway, community centre and the other features which had been developed in the playground at the domain, leading up to completion of the skate park.
Castlecliff was well ahead of other suburbs with these developments, she said.
Ms Stewart presented framed certificates acknowledging special efforts to Tim Fisher for his personal fund-raising which had added at least $13,000 to the funds, and to the secretary of Progress Castlecliff, Misty Moonbeam, who initiated the project and oversaw all stages of the fund-raising and construction.
Deputy Mayor Dot McKinnon congratulated Progress Castlecliff and the people responsible for the design and funding of a facility that was a great asset, not only for Castlecliff but also Wanganui.
The fact that it was debt-free was a great achievement she wished the council could emulate.
She declared the skate park open and top skater Chey Ataria performed a routine as the symbolic first user.
The day's programme was arranged by Kirsty Simpson of Cheapskates and the remainder of the afternoon was spent in free skating to music provided by bands who came to Wanganui and played without charge to support the community effort.