New park may be a jump too high

Valerie Schuler | 29th January 2010

Chey Ataria saw the removal of Victoria Park's skatepark as a good move.

It was Auckland's chance to build something better, where international events could be held. But it looks like there's little money for a new venue.

As The Aucklander reported last year, work on the $406 million Victoria Park tunnel   means the skatepark and the toilets near it will soon be removed.

We spoke to former New Zealand skate champion, Mr Ataria, a member of an advisory group of skaters and BMX riders working with Auckland City Council and NZ Transport Agency in September. Back then, he was excited about a new venue.

All international skating events are held in Christchurch or Wellington, where the councils have invested large amounts of money in skating venues. Mr Ataria hoped this would change and Auckland would get its turn to play host.

Budgets for the new skate centre have now been set at about $500,000.

The transport agency is paying for this and the council will look after maintenance and renewals. The council is also paying for a temporary park for skaters while work on the tunnel is carried out. There is presently no budget for this. The transport agency says the current skatepark has a value of about $350,000 and the budget for the new park has been increased to $500,000 to build something better.

But Mr Ataria says the existing skatepark, with shoddy ramps and rough surfaces, is in poor condition and needs work anyway.

"It seems like the council is not showing any support and it's a real let-down.  $500 000 is not a lot of money and, until the permanent skatepark is built, skaters will be left with a small, temporary facility. This won't cater to the numbers and young skaters will miss out.

"The skating industry will also take a massive hit.

"If other councils around the country can support skating, I don't see why ours can't."

There are no set designs for the temporary or permanent replacement of the popular skating venue.

Mr Ataria says plans for a large bowl, plus several smaller jumps, ledges and obstacles have been discussed. But under the new budget, there may not be enough money to proceed with the bowl. He also worries the $500,000 will be split to build both the temporary and permanent skateparks.

Councillor Greg Moyle, chairman of the arts, culture and recreation committee, says this won't happen.

"I agree that we want something that meets the needs of skaters and BMX riders, and we might not be able to do that with $500,000. It might be better to build what we can with existing budgets and add to it at a later date. It's something that would need to be looked at regionally, under the new council."

The existing park is scheduled for removal in about mid-February. A budget and site for the temporary park will also be discussed next month.

Project swallowing fun spots

Victoria Skate Park isn't the only sports venue being lost to the Victoria Park viaduct and tunnel project.

The adjoining lawn bowls club is presently being used as a site office by the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Once work on the tunnel is completed in September 2011, the building will be removed.

The general manager of Auckland Bowls, Phillip Vyver, says: "Membership was decreasing anyway and the club's lease was up for renewal. Had they renewed their lease, the club would have had to vacate the land for two years anyway, while work on the tunnel is under way, so they wound things up, instead."

Mr Vyver is not sure what happened to the Victoria Park club's remaining members.

"They maybe joined other clubs, but we won't know that until the latest club membership numbers come through."

Ponsonby Bowling Club on Jervois Rd is the closest available bowling venue for people to use.