Wheels park moves closer
Those developing plans for a new wheels park to replace the existing skateboard area on Allardice St are about to discuss the way forward with the Dannevirke Promotions and Development Group.
“We need an organisation which can apply for outside funding for the project,” Tararua District mayor Tracey Collis said.
Mrs Collis said she didn’t think it was a good idea to go to a public meeting until the organisation is in place to drive the project forward.
“I’ve asked councillor Carole Isaacson to set up a meeting with Malcolm Peffers of the promotions and development group, which could become the umbrella group for the project,” Mrs Collis said.
And she said she’s hoping to “save a whole pile of money” by utilising the plans of other successful skate parks in Hawke’s Bay and Waipukurau and the expertise of the group which developed Pahiatua’s Wheel Park.
“There’s no point in reinventing the wheel. By going ahead in this way it means we can work very fast and got out to funders, including the Tararua District Council, quickly.”
Deputy mayor Allan Benbow has already looked at the possibility of incorporating the new wheels park into the existing BMX park on the corner of George and Alexander streets, but Mrs Collis said she wants to hear of any other locations which provide a safe environment and are in close proximity for the young people who will use the new facility.
“We’ll also need a champion of the project, as well as an umbrella organisation to submit funding applications because we want to be very fast and nimble on this, with a finite time period,” she said. “People need to know how much and energy and time they will need to devote to this project, so I’ve asked council’s youth portfolio holders to work on this for the community.”
Mrs Collis said working with organisations which have existing structures will speed up the process.
“And if we have passionate people to get in and take part, it will happen,” she said.
Young people want a new skate park to be able to do better tricks and have facilities such as a half pipe.
Alex Boblea said the current skate park was “a bit boring”.
A group of young people had got themselves organised, gathered signatures and then approached Mrs Collis and others for a meeting to put their case for the new park.
Mrs Collis had been impressed by their professional approach and said it was now time for council and other organisations to make the new venture happen.
“This is the next generation who will be working with council and I want their first engagement with council to be positive,” she said. “They were very excited about their project and it was fantastic they wanted to work with council. This was a really neat way to connect with our young people.
“In Pahiatua, Bush Multisport and Pahiatua on Track worked very well together to fundraise and build their complex and there is a lot we can learn from them.”