Skaters converge for park extension fundraiser

Wanaka skater Wayne Pretty (29) shows his style in the Wanaka Skate Park Club skate jam yesterday...
Wanaka skater Wayne Pretty (29) shows his style in the Wanaka Skate Park Club skate jam yesterday. Photo by Darren Simmonds.
The Wanaka Skate Park has started another fundraising drive for a proposed $500,000 extension on Pembroke Park.

About 50 skaters of all ages took part in an informal "skate jam" at the park yesterday, watched by a crowd of similar size.

Wanaka Skate Park Club president Eddie Spearing said the club's budget was between $400,000 and $500,000.

It already had about $8500 and patron Dick Schulze had pledged $10,000.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council has earmarked another $185,000 in its 10-year-plan for the extension but that is not expected to be available until 2013-14, delaying the club's plans to build sooner.

The club intends to apply to community organisations to raise the balance.

Mr Spearing said the skate park "would have to be one of the most used facilities in town" and he was worried it might be knocked back by the council, which is pruning its long-term plan to save $300 million.

It is not yet known how the skate park has fared in the council's cuts, which are expected to be announced soon.

"Realistically, Wanaka has a skate park and an extension may not be a priority.

"I am a little bit worried about that because they might just say we can't afford to . . .

"But this is achievable. And we need to keep it in context. This is so much more than a skate park. It is a meeting place for youth.

"Where it is, in full view, is the best place for a skate park, and that has been acknowledged worldwide," he said.

The goal is to extend the 800sq m skate park to 2000sq m and build a 3m-deep half pipe so that skaters, many of whom also snowboard, can cross train during the summer.

"The Flying Tomato - [Olympic snowboard gold medallist] Shaun White - he's just won the X-Games half pipe in skating again last month. So there is a switch-over," Mr Spearing said.

 

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