New seats for city bike park

Bike park gets new seating. Pictured from left: Ella Cairncross, Anna Bullock, Emily Ross (seated); Ian Porteous, Sarah and Hayden Gibson (standing).

The city's Community Bike Park has flash new seating thanks largely to three students from Whanganui Intermediate School.

Ella Cairncross, Anna Bullock and Emily Ross worked together with the support of their teacher Ian Porteous and Mitre 10 Mega to design and build four cracker bench seats for the London St park.

The project was part of their hard materials extension class and took five weeks to build. Mr Porteous and principal Charles Oliver helped come up with a design that was strong, Anna said.

Sarah and Hayden Gibson from Mitre 10 Mega said they were thrilled to be part of the girls' project. "The girls have done an outstanding job, they should be very proud of their efforts."

Sport Whanganui and the Whanganui Mountain Bike Club say they have been overwhelmed with the amount of community support for the bike park, with $40,000 worth of labour and materials donated so far. Morrie Gibbons Signs has donated a billboard to highlight the community partners.

"This park would never happen without the wonderful support from our community. Community spirit is alive and well in Whanganui," Community Sport Manager Jodie Brunger said.

A challenge to the development of the park has been the time it has taken to get the first stage completed, she said. This was largely down to having to rely on volunteer time and labour.

But progress is about to pick up.

A funding application to the Four Regions Trust was successful with the trust matching the community's donations of $40,000. The cash injection will help speed up the development of the senior pump track in the New Year, Ms Brunger said.

"With the junior track already getting plenty of use it is hoped that the senior track will help make this park come alive and create a fun, family friendly space for the whole community."