Rotorua Skatepark Re-development

I'd like to see a space available for our roller skating community - both artistic and derby skaters. I also see this as a great opportunity to develop a space for parkour and/or freerunning as to my knowledge there is nothing available in town. I'd really like to see us, as a city, catering to more than the bike-riding population.

I would love to see an outdoor rink for our rollerskaters.

Could we have a competition sized outdoor skating rink?
Outdoor competitions for a number of different roller sports could use this encouraging competitors from outside the area to visit, and also promote local sports.

Wonderful design caters for all ages. Would love to see a flat track for the derby crew and those who speed skate. Also an area that provides shelter from the wind for spectators. I'm standing here filling out the feedback form while struggling to find shelter from the wind down at the old skate park.
Great work design team!
My full support on creating a world class skate park.

Love it. I'm no expert on the design detail, but Rotorua has positioned itself as a global centre for mountain biking, and can tap into that with skateboarding too. Not only will this provide additional facilities and opportunities for our youth but it also has the potential to attract visitors and income (not that all projects need to be judged on a financial basis; there is great value in creating community facilities).

I would love to see a larger form of transition (6ft quarter, larger bank etc) in the box jump area, opposite the very wall. This could have gaps in it to allow roll ins of younger users. This would allow the area to be utilised to the fullest; by giving users the option to lap back and forth without having to regain speed.

Everything's is fine, but the thing hanging over the pool bowl either needs to be moved or taken out. There will be a point and time where someone will end up hitting it doing and Air in the bowl. Also the box jumps need to be around the other way round. The bigger box jumps need to be before the vertwall and then the smaller box jumps coming back towards the drop in bank. You'll carry more speed going into the bigger box jumps first, rather than ha big the small ones first.

I feel that this is an excellent design and addition to Rotorua, local artists should be engaged to place murals on the concrete works to avoid tagging, now we have Crank Works a competition should be held here yearly around the mountain biking time. I think there should be 3 more ply ramps, ie a mini, mid and a large vert ramp so people can progress to vert ramp skating. Some previous comments dragged on about return on investment, everything we do doesn't have to have a "financial" return based on dollars, New Zealand never used to be like that so it is great that Rotorua is thinking of enjoyment for locals and especially young people who need to get out from behind their ipads, enjoyment is what makes cities fun to live in and am happy that my rates are going to something creative, sporting and fun.

Please don't waste rate payers money on this, there are a lot more important things to spend our money on!

Just out of Cambridge by St Peters School there is a young children bike park - stop signs, give way signs, traffic lights etc. How about something like that as part of the skate park. Parents can take their littlies there and they can learn road rules while still having fun.

Love it! As a parent of two young children we go to the current skate park every couple of weeks. I've always been impressed with how well accommodated young children are around larger/older/teenagers and the supportive environment that is fostered by all users. Unfortunately, it isn't until you use the place that all the stereotypes are found to be non existent. I was down there earlier in the week and there were 30-40 young people using it. It has to be a wet day to find it completely empty - I'm always astounded by the amount it is used and improvements to the park will only grow the usage.
In terms of the design. While I find the attitude of all users great towards each other the different spaces for ages/types of riders and abilities can only enhance the enjoyment for all. to love how the design caters towards them.
These aren't design points but I feel the need to mention these. 1. I believe young people that use the park love the lack of organisation. If they wanted organised sport they'd go find it. I think ultimately the park should reflect that and it would be a shame to roll up at the park in the future to find large portions of the park closed for figure skating or roller derby practise/events - these aren't in keeping with the ethos of the skate/scooter/bmx community that frequent these parks. 2. People complaining about the cost are ill founded. Surely the maintenance and up keep of a concrete park is low and quickly negates the initial outlay? Compared to a golf course or cricket pitch.I'm a ratepayer and hardly well off but happy to pay for a facility that supports a large portion of our community that are not ratepayers and too young to vote.
Love it - lets make it happen!

We have not had a wage rise in 3 years.(We I mean my wife as I have been unable to work and have had no financial help from the winz or anyone for that matter)
You guys have to stop spending rate payers money as if we have bottomless pockets. I have a question for you.
When was the last year you guys didnt borrow money to run this council?
If you cant answer that surely that says it all.Thank you , EricJamesD

This is/was an ill conceived area to put our younger citizens in. Location should be moved out of high density traffic area to Kuirau Park!
Ratepayers being asked to fund a dream project which serves a very small section of the community.
RDC needs to show some restraint when spending Ratepayers money and cater for a wider section of the community. Try to live within budget and cut your cloth. Our debt is ridiculous for a less than affluent community., typically council debt and airport debt

Hi
My comment is in regards the open plaza with the skatable art feature.
I consider the design has already most features focusing on skateboarding which I'm happy for.

But skateparks can be used for a wide range of wheels. As previously said by Layla "make it usable for artistic skaters, roller hockey, roller derby."

Please consider an outdoor skating rink area. It would increase usage of the whole facility by the wider community.


Thank you

What is purpose of plinth? Seams to be in way of usable rink area. Lighting and shade need to be addressed. Any chance of small grandstand?

Awesome design, the only thing that is missing is a pump track, they get used by mountain bikers, bmx rides and skate boarders so money won’t be wasted. See how popular the Grey Lynn pump track is on Facebook and youtube. That one was built by South Star Trails, a company based here in Rotorua.

Love it! This is needed for the city. I live out of the district but would travel over specifically for a day trip.
I like that the design caters for a range of ages and skills. I have a four year old so the Moguland would be great for her. The skateable art feature is very cool.

Some additional thoughts/feedback:
* The junior cycle skills track is also a great idea.
* Consideration of shade sails, toilets and water fountains (esp with little ones) + rubbish bins.
* Installation of pou for cultural recognition of the area, ideally using local artists/rangatahi.
* Minogue Park, Hamilton has some cool features, including pou and a small skate path that goes around/through the park. Likewise the Omokoroa skate path. I guess it could be combined with the Junior cycle skills track idea?
Keep up the good work!

Wow!! Thanks to everyone for your amazing responses!
Loving the detailed feedback on the design of the skate park, how functional these will be for users, improvements and suggestions. This is important stuff.
We have had lots of feedback about the need for park features such as shade, seating, water fountains, toilets, BBQ and other similar features that add to the overall enjoyment Park. Keep these coming as well! These will be incorporated into the final development once the design for the skate park has been finalised.
Thanks again and loving all your help!

This is a totally ill conceived and poor use of the available land. I have no problem in improving park facilities...and you have heaps of space in the nearby Kuirau Park. Enhance that area instead.
The area in use for a skate park at present raises the issue of even heavier traffic all around it making it unsafe and even more so in future. In addition the city is desperate for a decent travel/bus / transit centre. Why not start to look into the future and build the transit centre here? It is already bounded by main roads and is a far more accessible location than the present one near the lake front which has no parking spaces for anybody. Please look to the future!

Our young people deserve the best & that includes great places to get outdoors & be active. I wouldn't have a clue how to ride a skateboard let alone know what a good skate park looks like, but I congratulate and support the Rotorua Lakes Council for acknowledging the importance of our tamariki & rangatahi, and making decisions for our city that is inclusive of their wants and needs. I applaud the council's whanau focus under Steve Chadwick's leadership & have faith in our skateboarding community that they know what is best for them. I agree with, and support the comments suggesting shade and bbq facilities for families, as well as the deep bowl and outdoor skating rink though. How fantastic! I also saw someone comment on Facebook recently saying one of the main aims of this skatepark should be to support our local skaters towards competing internationally which makes sense as our kids definitely have the talent. They just need the opportunities.