Masterton District Council has earmarked approximately $250,000 for a skatepark revamp. PHOTO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM
KAREN COLTMAN
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Passionate skater Sam Hall is spearheading the Masterton Skatepark Revamp Project, motivating the community and businesses to get behind the project.
“It is 15 years since the skatepark went in and it wasn’t great from the get-go, now we have award-winning designers coming to ask us what we want,” Hall said of RICH Landscapes who were in town yesterday to show design concepts to Masterton skaters. “It is tremendous.”
Hall said the skate park had broken seats and cracks in the concrete.
“With over 30 people using it daily it is now dangerous.”
Skaters deserved better considering the interest, he said.
“The competitions we run have over a hundred participating and bring a great buzz.”
Hall said the angle and length of ramps had to be right otherwise they were useless.
“Now we can get a modern skatepark fit for today’s skaters and scooter riders.”
Owner of RICH Landscapes, Richard Smith is bringing boards with design concepts and handing out stickers for a point system for people to mark their preferences on each design.
This method means they come away with a grasp of the most important aspects of the design for users.
“I am so impressed with the designer, he organised the consultation himself, I’m just stoked,” Hall said.
Masterton District Council has earmarked around $250,000 for the revamp.
Hall said the cost was “cheap” compared with a new park. A similar “fantastic” project in Marton had cost $600,000, but Masterton had a base to start with which decreased cost.
“The skaters and scooter riders are amping for this and really feel it is their skatepark.”
Hall said he had received good support from council officer Aaron Bacher and councillor Chris Peterson.
The council is expecting the final design by December 19 with the whole project completed by 2021.
