4 Dec 2018

A central Sumner site has been chosen for the Bays Area Skate Park.

The Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board approved the former Marine Tavern site at 26 Nayland Street at a meeting yesterday.

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

Most people favoured the Sumner site during community consultation earlier this year, with 314 submissions – 59 per cent – backing the site out of the total 534 submissions.

A new skate park site will be developed in Sumner.

A new skate park site will be developed in Sumner.

Board Chairperson Sally Buck says the new site “ticks the accessibility and popularity boxes” with the local community.

“The new Bays Area Skate Park brings a fresh ‘edge’ to the area,” Ms Buck says.

“We want to encourage people to be active and engage with the local environment.

“We plan to create a special space that supports the further regeneration of the bays area, meeting the needs of skateboarders with a range of skills. However, all the issues, particularly the noise, need to be looked at first, and steps taken to ensure the best outcome.”

Work is expected to start in 2020-21 when funding is available under the Council's Long Term Plan.

A Council report says the site will not require as much ongoing maintenance as suggested sites at Sumner Beach and Scott Park.

Among the site advantages cited in the 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 notes that community engagement will occur on the future use of the balance of adjacent land at 20/24 Nayland Street.

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