The first steps towards the construction of Te Puke's planned $280,000 skatepark took place today with a sod-turning ceremony in Jubilee Park.
The project is more than three years in the making, and has grown since its inception.
A graphic design of the Te Puke Skatepark.
The skatepark idea started with a suggestion to move funding allocated to rebuilding a smaller skatepark in Hayward Park, says project leader Stephen Lun.
"People in the community talked to us about moving that funding to Jubilee Park, so in the 2013/14 Annual Plan, after consulting with the public, we did just that.
The Te Puke Skatepark will be 626 square metres when complete. It's designed to offer a community facility closer to the town centre – a place for youth to gather.
Te Puke students and skate enthusiasts have been vital in creating the design of the park, says Stephen.
Frequent meetings with students and skaters were held, with feedback going to the designer Rich Landscapes – also the creators of the award-winning Omokoroa Skate Path.
The final design was signed off in December 2015. It joins up with Jubilee Park's existing bleachers and the adjoining basketball half court.
Total funding for the project is made up from Council ($180,000), Te Puke Community Board (up to $50,000), First Sovereign Trust ($49,224), Project Control Group ($1000), and Te Puke Kiwicoast Lions ($5000).
Construction is expected to take about three months to complete.