Crowds flock to new Flaxmere Skate Plaza opening celebration
Hundreds of people headed to Flaxmere Park at the weekend to celebrate the opening of the new Flaxmere Skate Plaza – Te Pae Whīra o Pā Harakeke.
It’s the newest, and biggest, skate plaza in Hastings – its elements and design the result of many community conversations and collaboration with Iwi Toi Kahungunu Artists Collective.
Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said it was fantastic to see so many children and families at the opening on Saturday, enjoying the new facility.
“This is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when the community is part of the project right from the start.
“We spoke to more than 200 skateboarders, scooterers, students, parents and Flaxmere residents to finalise the location and design elements they wanted in the new skate park.
“The design brief was put together by local school children and was then interpreted by mana whenua artists from the Iwi Toi Kahungunu Artists Collective.
“The result is absolutely stunning – reflecting the local community and environment.”
Nationally renowned skate-plaza designer Rich Smith designed the elements of the skate plaza, with more than 20 ramps, rails, bowls, quarter pipes and jumps spread across 1400 square metres.
Angus McMillan Concrete led the construction of the project, and First Light Community Foundation and Trust House Foundation contributed funding towards the shade sails, plaza art elements and some of the neighbouring playground equipment.
Unison supported the project by sponsoring the lighting in the park, which includes the multi-coloured lighting in the pou, and will help make the facility safe when people are using it at different times.
Relationship manager Danny Gough said the company had supported all three Hastings District Council-owned skateparks.
“These amazing projects align with so many of Unison’s own ideals. As a Hawke’s Bay consumer-owned business, it’s really important that we support our community through initiatives that promote inclusion, and engagement and that contribute to active and thriving communities.
“This skatepark does just this, it encourages physical well-being and community involvement. This is a community project, built by locals and it’ll be enjoyed by locals for so many years to come.”
More than 1000 plants have been installed around the plaza, which was constructed with 320 cubic metres of concrete, or 80 concrete trucks.
