Skateboard park plan

The concept is included in the Invercargill City Council Long Term Council Community Plan which notes: "The Elles Road Skateboard Park needs refurbishment. Users of the facility will seek funding for this project."

Should the project go ahead the design allows for staged construction; that would allow fundraising to continue as the project progressed.

Background

In January 2009 the Invercargill City Council was approached by a group of young people keen to develop a skateboard park. The existing park was opened in April 1998 and well-used over the past decade. However skateboarding grew in popularity over the period and the sport itself evolved so that, the Council was told, the park was outdated and no longer provided adequate challenges.

After an initial meeting, followed by a public meeting in March 2009, a working group was formed consisting of 30 young people, parents and Council representatives. Other sites were considered but the young people decided to stay with the existing site on the reserve between Ness Street and Elles Road opposite Splash Palace. The site is central, has adequate parking, is on a bus route, has prior resource consent and is highly visible.

During the course of several meetings the working group decided what features were wanted and Jason Parkes, a designer specialising in skateboard parks was commissioned to provide a concept plan based on that information. In early December six representatives of the working group discussed some design changes with Jason Parkes and the updated design is now available for viewing.

The Council is making the following contribution to the project: site, resource consents, engineering services, overseeing the tender process, project coordination and concept design.

Your comments and feedback are welcome.