Sign In / Register
Plans to upgrade the Snells Beach skatepark are again on the back burner, this time due to budget cuts.
Skaters and residents who use the facility at Goodall Reserve have been lobbying for safety and equipment improvements for nearly 10 years and it has been included, off and on, in various Rodney Local Board plans and work schedules since 2016-17.
The project was finally named as a key priority for the board in 2023-24, and work to design and replace the old plyboard and metal ramps with concrete, as well as installing new fencing, seating and access paths, was scheduled to start in March last year, with construction slated to finish last month.
However, late last year board members were told the project had been deferred until the 2025-26 financial year due to budget constraints.
Auckland Council’s parks and community facilities area operations head, Eli Nathan, said last week it was unfortunate the skatepark renewal had again been delayed.
“Council is aware that this project has strong support from the Mahurangi East community, and it remains on our radar,” he said.
“Rodney Local Board will be asked to provide further input on the project in September and, pending continued support from the board, detailed design work is likely to go ahead later this year, with a view to physical works starting in 2026-27.”
