Skate park design ticked

Fairlie’s long-awaited $100,000 skate park is nearing the construction stage.

Final designs for the park, which has been in discussion for several years, have been approved by the community board and all the money has been raised.

The projected costs were reduced from $200,000 due to 1200 hours of work being volunteered for the community.

Funding was raised via the Mackenzie District Council which approved a grant application of $25,000 last June from the land subdivision reserve along with monies from local businesses and a grant from the Lotteries Commission.

The community board recommended council support the project on the condition they approve the final plans.

The designs use the contours of the existing land and include a bowl, pyramid, ramps and quarterpipes.

The council’s community facilities and services officer Charlotte Borrell noted in a report to the board that a building consent or formal exemption would be needed before work, planned for March, can begin.

‘‘At present neither building consent nor exemption have been applied for.

‘‘In addition, the contractor will be required to supply necessary documentation and comply with any and all legal requirements from council with regards to completion of the skate park.’’

The skate park will be vested with the council.

At the board meeting, concerns were also raised regarding the bus parking next to the playground where passengers get off buses and start smoking.

It was suggested that the construction of the skate park would be a good time to explore moving the bus parking and council assets group manager Bernie Haar will investigate the option of bus parking on State Highway 8 with NZ Transport Agency further and supply options to the board.