Organisers of a proposed BMX and skateboard park at Ranfurly are confident it will go ahead, despite needing approval from the Maniototo Community Board and about $2500 of additional funding.
The board will consider the proposal at its next meeting on April 1, and fund-raising events for the remaining money are under way.
The proposed park would comprise a junior BMX bike track, senior BMX bike track and a skateboard bowl.
Central Otago District Council recreational-zoned land situated behind the showgrounds at Ranfurly was chosen for the development.
An existing motorcycle track would be built on, railed in, and a skateboard bowl made.
The town's volunteer radio station, Burn 729am, and holiday park were backing the proposal and had so far secured about $8000 for the estimated $10,000 development.
Burn station manager Amie Pont said local businesses had given and loaned building materials and equipment including concrete, wood, steel, a digger, and a truck for the project.
‘‘Some of that is at cost, but a lot has been donated. For a big project it's actually going to be really simple and will be a matter of getting together for a working bee,'' she said.
Mrs Pont said the town's youth were supportive of the idea and keen to help with the project which would provide them with a safe area in which to socialise and ride BMX bikes, bicycles and skateboards, away from roads in the town.
She said the park would generate pride within the community, and become an area specially cared for by those who helped create it.
‘‘We are pretty certain it will go ahead, there's no reason why it wouldn't. We are hoping to get a guest graffiti artist to paint the skateboard bowl,'' she said.
Ranfurly Holiday Park owner Alan East initiated the concept after realising there was no designated recreational area for the town's young people.
