Another major step forward for inner city park

The development of a new inner city park near Hastings CBD has taken another major step forward, with the receipt of a grant from the Lotteries Community Facilities Fund.

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) grant of $200,000 towards the skate bowl and skate plaza, will provide a major boost towards the fundraising target of $394,000. The new park is to be built on land bordered by St Aubyn Street, King Street and Avenue Road and will incorporate a passive park, a children’s playground and a skate plaza that’s includes the latest and most innovative designs.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says “This substantial funding means we can now push the go button on the next step in the development of this facility. Council is serious about including external funding in the total cost of this facility and we are extremely grateful to the DIA for their valuable support.”   

Councillor Sandra Hazlehurst says “This exciting project is going to come to fruition just at the right time for the Hastings CBD. Council is working hard to ensure the CBD is a vital and exciting place for all the community and the new park will provide a range of facilities that will prove inviting for residents and visitors.”

The skate park will provide a much needed facility for the youth of Hastings. However, the whole development is much more than that. The passive area will become an oasis of green for all the community while the children’s playground and water features will keep the younger members of our community happily entertained.”

Hastings Police Area Commander Chris Wallace told the council that the provision of this new recreation area for skaters and BMX riders is vital to ensure that the young people of Hastings have a dedicated facility where they can demonstrate their skills. The passive park and children’s playground will attract family groups and people from the wider community and this will provide additional security and surveillance for users of the skate plaza.

He said council is working closely with the Atomic Events Centre and Sport Hawkes Bay to provide an onsite mentoring programme for users at key times, with the goal of providing a positive environment and ensuring the facility is utilised properly and valued as an asset by the whole community.  

The application for DIA funding, and preparation of the required independent Feasibility Study was undertaken by local firm, Giblin Group, who are still working with Council to secure funding for the balance of the fundraising target.

The total cost of construction of the inner city park is $1.4m but council believes there may be some savings to come during the tender process due to the current economic climate. Council has committed $850,000 to the project with another $260,000 now available from fundraising.

Tenders for construction of the skate plaza will be called in the next few weeks, with a tentative opening scheduled for early summer, 2012.