Anticipation grows in advance of opening of redeveloped Christchurch skate park

A $3.2 million redevelopment of Christchurch's Washington Way skate park is being eagerly anticipated by the New Zealand skate community.

Likely to be ready in April, the Christchurch City Council project is being built by contractor Hunter Civil and Australian specialist sub-contractor Convic Design.

The plaza-style layout, one of the biggest and most technically challenging in New Zealand, will offer an urban-style street course on an extended site for skateboarders, BMX riders and inline skaters, and includes landscaping, seating and car parking. The extension also incorporates a bowl and cradle, additional street features and pump humps to give acceleration.

The upgrade, planned since 2009, was delayed by Christchurch's earthquakes and a protracted resource consent process.

Commenting on the project, Christchurch City Council Environment and Infrastructure Committee Chair Claudia Reid stated "the Washington Way Skate Park is already well-used and the planned extension will create a bigger, better facility for everyone to enjoy.

"While the project was held-up following the earthquakes, it is wonderful that work is starting now and I'm looking forward to seeing the final result.

"Once finished, the upgrade will realise the hopes of skate park users for it to become one of the best skate parks in the country."

Skate event organiser Scottie Buckner, who was involved in the planning of the skate park, is looking forward to its completion, adding "(its) a world-class design.

"A park like this will enable us to host bigger and better competitions and draw top skateboarders from across the country and the world."

During the delays, the original budget has also had to be increased from $1.2 million due to a number of factors including:

• Construction industry cost escalations since initial planning on the concept design in 2009
• Additional cost of a lengthy resource consent process
• Additional earthquake strengthening
• Post-earthquake requirement to anchor the bowl below the water table
• Increased car parking requirements
• A new landscaping plan
• Limited competition for tenders due to complex nature of the work
• Requirement to fence along the railway line and nearby business.

Click here to visit the Washington Way Reserve Skate Park Facebook page.

2nd December 2009 - CHRISTCHURCH SKATE PARK EXTENSION DELAYED