Waste of money or great artwork?
Is it too bright, a waste of money or art that puts Porirua on the map?
The upgrade of the skatepark cost $45,000 - $17,000 for the artwork and $28,000 on preparation and maintenance of the area.
Resene Paints paid for the first round of painting in October and awarded the skatepark the professional mural in the 2016 Resene Mural Master Awards.
There were mixed responses on Neighbourly when we asked what Porirua people thought of the new design. One of the most popular comments was the blue paint was reminiscent of a public swimming pool. certainly makes it stand out! I didn’t think it needed it though as the concrete looked good anyway.
Now there are waves it is much easier to tell where the change in contours are - a good addition. Overall I think it looks great, but the money probably could have been better spent elsewhere.
JODY LILLEY FROM TAWA
Being an ex-skater myself, l can see why they say it’s too bright, because it is, which actually makes it dangerous!
The last thing you need is bright light coming from the ground while trying to land a flip. Something darker would have been better suited.
Or some beautiful local art, then it would have been a place everyone would have wanted to visit. It looks like a big drained swimming pool, or like the shallow one they had in Upper Hutt.
It’s now become a lot more tempting for ‘hoods’ to tag. Such a big, clear canvas.
I think it should be repainted, and it would of made sense to ask the people that use it which colours would have suited, not spend so much on something that’s not only an eye-sore, but worse a danger to our skaters.
KATHRYN GRANIER FROM TAWA
It does look like a drained swimming pool with that blue. Crazy waste of money, if it’s now too bright.
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