Blenheim Skate Community On A Mission For Upgrades

Saturday, 22 June 2024, 6:58 pm
Article: Maia Hart - Local Democracy Reporter

A passionate group of skaters is on a mission to improve the sport in Marlborough.

Their mission has been launched with a request to the Marlborough District Council’s long-term plan, asking for help to improve the skate park in Blenheim.

The group is also in the process of formalising themselves into a proper “entity”, which will make it easier for them to host events, such as Skate With Pride, set to take place on Saturday.

Aimee Payne told councillors during a long-term plan hearing last week the main things they would like to see were improved lighting and some shade for the Blenheim skate park.

She added that some mural art, more maintenance and potentially more obstacles wouldn’t go amiss either, and the group would be happy to look into fundraising opportunities.

She said the sport was growing in New Zealand and globally, and Marlborough’s skate community was too.

“I think it's bigger than what people necessarily see. We have a lot of people that come down there at all times,” she said.

“It is a beautiful community. It's well supported.”

As she put her argument forward to councillors calling for improvements, Payne said the community had lots to celebrate and often supported each other as they learnt new skills.

She said she had watched teenage skaters who used the park who would often share their “decks” and help others learn the tricks of the trade.

“It [skating] doesn't discriminate.

“You can be from any walk of life. If you are at that park – you are just there doing your thing.”

A small group of the skaters had got together and decided to advocate on the community’s behalf, she said.

“We would like to work with the council to ensure that the facility meets the needs of the community – through design layout, accessibility, safety measures, maintenance and upkeep, community engagement, supporting local policies and funding.”

At the hearing, she put forward letters of support including from the Chamber of Commerce and REAP Marlborough.

“If I could push for anything it would be the infrastructure– shade and lighting, and we are more than happy to fundraise for the mural and general upkeep.

“The community is there and we are happy to put the work in.”

Wairau-Awatere ward councillor Gerald Hope said the presentation was powerful.

He asked if the sport was still as strong as it was - given the council had already put some work into improving the skate park in Picton.

Payne said it was growing and while that work in Picton was appreciated, it wasn’t necessarily fit for purpose because of the surface of the park.

This was why they wanted to work with the council to get the right outcomes, she said.

Blenheim ward councillor Brian Dawson said the offer to fundraise was “generous” and asked for clarification on the group behind it.

Payne said they were in the process of forming a “group or entity” and had talked to Skate Nelson Bays which had a similar model to what they were looking to achieve.

“They've helped us, they run events, much like a mountain bike club does.”

Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor said she wanted to reiterate what councillors had said about her presentation.

“It's a really well-formed submission. It's very well-researched, well-supported. You understand your topic and what you're asking and parameters that we work in, so thank-you for that,” she said.

Deliberations on long-term plan submissions would take place on June 24.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ on Air.

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