Delays with approval holding up skate park

Ranfurly youth are hopeful their new skate park can finally be finished, despite delays over final approval for the project. From left are Alesha East (12), Lucy (6), Matthew (10) and Simon Neilson (12), and Mitchell East (9).
Ranfurly youth are hopeful their new skate park can finally be finished, despite delays over final approval for the project. From left are Alesha East (12), Lucy (6), Matthew (10) and Simon Neilson (12), and Mitchell East (9).
Ranfurly youngsters are trying to stay positive about a new skate park in the town, despite delays over final approval stalling the project.

The skate park, started more than a year ago at Maniototo Park, had not been finished because final approval had not come from Central Otago District Council, Ranfurly Recreation Reserve committee chairman Alan East said.

‘‘We really need the paperwork to pour the concrete. It's pretty permanent.''

Local volunteers and contractors were behind the $2500 project, funded by a Pub Charity grant, which also included a dirt and gravel BMX track nearby, already completed and in use.

CODC community facility officer Janice Remnant said the council was waiting for final permission from Minister of Conservation Tim Groser to formalise the use of the land as a skate park, and the council was ‘‘actively following through'' the process so it could release final approval for the project.

Ranfurly young people spoken to last week said construction of the skate park was ‘‘dragging on a bit'' and they were keen to see it finished to provide more opportunities for youth in the town.

‘‘It will be great,'' said Alesha East (12).

‘‘It will give us something else to do.''

- Pam Jones