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The race is on for the Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) to get a completed skatepark ahead of the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.
The park needs $1 million to construct a street plaza and flow bowl needed for Olympic level training, and has received a huge boost with up to $500,000 being given towards the project by Northland Regional Council.
The money comes from the Regional Sporting Facilities Rate, which costs the ratepayer $15 annually.
MAZ chair Colin Gallagher says the final amount to be given will be announced soon, but is confident it will be around the half a million mark.
“Those funds will go a long way towards completing the final parts of the skate park, which will be the best in the country when it’s finished,” Colin says.
“We’ve already got the design drawings completed. Now it’s just a case of getting the money and getting construction underway.”
MAZ is hoping to secure the remaining $500,000 from the Kaipara District Council Reserve Development Fund.
“I’ve had an application in since 2016. I know the money is available, so hopefully it will come through soon as part of the Long Term Plan.”
“If everything comes together soon, I would expect to have the park finished next year so our Olympic skateboarders can train there.”
The new funding makes Northland Regional Council the top financial supporter of the project overtaking the New Zealand Lotteries Commission, which has given $350,000.
Meanwhile, the activity zone has two other projects in the wings, including a 1000 square metre pump track for bikes and other toys on wheels, which is expected to cost $150,000.
The future development Mangawhai Central has also come to the party, providing funds to complete a three-story building at the zone. This will contain a storage room for park maintenance equipment, a meeting room and a platform for people to enjoy viewing the facility.
