St Albans skate park upgrade will cater for beginners

An upgrade and extension of the St Albans skate park means beginner scooters and skaters will be better able to use the facility.

Work on the project began last week and is expected to be completed in time for the April school holidays.

The upgrade has been in the pipeline since a skate jam at the park in 2017 highlighted the lack of facilities to cater for beginners.

“There’s been strong support in the community for a facility that will cater for those skate and scooter users of a beginner skill level so it’s really exciting to have reached the stage where construction is now underway,” says Papanui Innes Community Board Chair Emma Norrish.

An artist's illustration of  the St Albans Skate Park upgrade. Work is expected to be finished in April. 

“The concept and design has been developed with input from current skate park users, local school children, residents and businesses – it’s been a real community effort.”

The new extension features a pyramid and wollie ledge, fat grind rail, hipped quarter pipe with platform, high ramp, new seating and an expanded concrete surface.

The existing skate park will have a new hipped end installed on the quarter pipe, new balustrade barriers on the half pipe platforms and the roll over and pump bump will be extended.

The project has a budget of $392,000.

Work on the Bishopdale Skate Park renewal is expected to commence in April, once St Albans Park has been completed. The Bishopdale improvements will also cater for beginner to intermediate skaters.