World class skate facility for Napier's Marine Parade

Napier City Council has recommended a plan to upgrade the former Marineland site, its SkateZone and the Marine Parade carpark into a skate park, 'Reef Garden' and amphitheatre, complete with carpark.

Having considered numerous options for the future of Marine Parade, design concepts by Paris Magdalinos Architects that utilise the existing Marineland grandstand and dolphin pool cavity for a skate bowl, have been approved and it is envisaged the project could be completed as soon as August 2015.

Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott says the Council sees the relocation of the existing SkateZone facility and expanding the activity for multipurpose use as taking a more holistic view of the Marine parade development.

She explained "it not only takes into account the redevelopment of the Marineland site but also the the adjacent carpark and current SkateZone site.

"The relocation of SkateZone will see a world class skate bowl that will be an action sports attraction that also includes a junior scootering area, climbing wall and a multipurpose pitch/track that can accommodate roller derby, street football (futsal) and basketball. The completion of this will see a quality family friendly Marine Parade from Ocean Spa to the Aquarium."

The new skate park will be secure and bound by walls to provide shelter, however it will open up to the wider reserve area by the use of windows.

Napier City Councillor and Marine Parade Development Group Chairman Keith Price says it is envisaged the Napier Skating Trust will lease and manage the skate park, while youth organisation, Atomic Events, who currently provide services to the Council, could be adequately co-located with SkateZone within the grandstand.

Councillor Price added "we are really excited about this and we believe the addition of this world class skate bowl and ancillary roller sports infrastructure will attract skaters and spectators from across the country for national events."

Prior to any redevelopment work taking place on the Marineland site, however, the remaining marine mammals will be re-homed and Tourism Services Manager, Neil Fergus, has negotiated with Australian zoos to re-home the animals over the coming months.

Reef Garden
The existing SkateZone site will be transformed into a passive recreation area dubbed the 'Reef Garden', after the iconic Pania of the Reef story and the impressive shingle beach that will extend right up to Marine Parade. This will take place at the southern end of the Sunken Gardens.

The Reef Garden will be a natural transitional space providing for zero-depth interactive water play with water jets, flowing water, sculpture and landscaping.

A tiered amphitheatre with four different views will be developed over the existing split levels between the Sunken Gardens and the SkateZone site, which will increase the usability of the current space. It will allow for small productions and movie nights in a more intimate and sheltered environment than that provided by the Soundshell.

Carpark and Sunday Market
The plans propose to redevelop the entire Marine Parade carpark area. The number of carparks will be reduced to provide for a transition area that integrates better with the Marine Parade Foreshore Reserve and links the passive Sunken Gardens and the southern active recreation area.

On completion in 2015, the Sunday Market that currently operates out of the Marine Parade carpark will be subsequently affected. The Council intends to work closely with the organisers of the Market to find alternative suitable arrangements.

Funding
In the 2013/14 financial year $1.2 million has been set aside in the capital projects fund for Marine Parade development projects, which will be applied to the next stage of the Marine Parade Development Plan.

Capital funding of approximately $3.5 million for the balance of the project will be set aside in the 2014/15 and 2015/16 Annual Plans to be consulted with the Napier community.

The development is also expected to attract external funding due to its multipurpose elements that target a greater variety of the community.

1st February 2011 - NAPIER’S MARINELAND WILL NOT REOPEN

2nd December 2009 - CHRISTCHURCH SKATE PARK EXTENSION DELAYED