Pedal to the pavement
There’s no excuses for pent up energy at a Palmerston North childcare centre where a bike track has been built.
The track was opened at Te Aroha Noa Early Childcare Centre yesterday and, as soon as the ribbon was cut, the kids were eager to put their pedals to the new pavement.
Team leader Becs Paki said prior to the concrete track being put in the centre had crusher dust, which meant it was hard for the kids to use the track in winter as it would turn into a mud pit.
‘‘This means we will be able to use it all year round and because it’s concrete it will last for years.’’
Paki approached Higgins to see if it the firm was able to help, as it had supported similar projects at schools.
‘‘Without the help of Higgins we wouldn’t have been able to afford it.’’
She said the kids would get a lot of use out of the track and it would be used every day.
‘‘What we are hoping now is we will be able to get some brand new bikes. We will also be able to use scooters and skateboards on there.’’ The track benefited both the centre and the Highbury community, she said.
Mahora Campbell-simon, 4, said the track was good to ride on.
He said you could go ‘‘super fast’’.
Paki said Higgins would be coming back to mark out pedestrian crossings and arrows for the children on the track.
The centre also plans to plant willow trees around it, to act as tunnels.