Wave of support for Sumner skate site

A central Sumner site has been identified as the preferred spot for the proposed Bays Area Skate Park.

A staff report recommending 26 Nayland Street will be considered by the Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board at a meeting on 3 December.

A new skate park is on the cards for Sumner.

However, a final decision is subject to the Crown transferring ownership of two neighbouring properties to the Christchurch City Council.

Following community consultation earlier this year, most people backed the former Marine Tavern site in the seaside suburb.

Council Acting Head of Parks Kate Russell says the proposed site is both easily accessible and popular with the local community.

“Being able to make a community-supported recommendation to the Board is a big step towards the delivery of a much-needed skate park in the bays,” Ms Russell says,

“A new facility also provides another opportunity to encourage young people to engage with the area and remain active.”

However, discussions are continuing over the adjacent sites.

“The Council owns the proposed skate park site but both 20 and 24 Nayland Street remain under Crown ownership,” Ms Russell says. “We hope to also utilise these sites after first talking to the community about the best use.”

Among the site advantages cited in the staff report are the central location, proximity to Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre and the local youth centre, Fuse, and ease of access.

The staff report further recommends that the Board approves community consultation on the use of the adjacent sites.

The new skate park development, which includes design, consents and rockfall protection, is expected to cost $539,900.