Waikanae skatepark closed over safety concerns

An independent report raising safety concerns about the condition of the Waikanae skatepark has prompted the Kāpiti Coast District Council to close it from today.

Council customer and community group manager Brendan Owens said it had been a tough call, but safety was the top priority.

“We know the Waikanae Park skatepark is a much-loved and well-used community facility and this decision will be disappointing for many. However, in our view this is the safest and most responsible action, and it couldn’t wait, knowing what we now know about its state, and failed safety rating, which was about as bad as it could get on all counts,” he said.

The skatepark was already earmarked for demolition and replacement in a wider refresh of Waikanae Park that is to be redeveloped as a ‘destination park’ for the community and visitors, he said.

“Spending money on temporary fixes or patches for a facility that is soon to be demolished and rebuilt anyway isn’t a good use of resources. We’d rather use the money to build the new skatepark.”

Fencing is being put in place today to prevent access. Demolition would happen as soon as possible, Mr Owens said.

“We’ll put up signage but our message to skaters or anyone else who might be tempted is, don’t jump the fence – the skatepark is not safe.”

The pump track, playground, car park and other facilities will remain open.

“We’re also looking at bringing in a temporary wooden mini ramp like the one at Maclean Park as an interim measure until we can rebuild the Waikanae skatepark.

“An upside is that we will be looking at bringing forward the skatepark replacement as a priority in our Waikanae Park refresh.”

$3 million has been set aside for the Waikanae Park refresh.

“We’ll engage with skatepark users on the design of the new skatepark later in the year,” Mr Owens said.

The report, which is still in draft, also highlights repairs and upgrades needed for Ōtaki and Paekākāriki skateparks. Unlike Waikanae, remedial repairs are able to keep these skate parks in a safely usable condition until their scheduled renewals take place, Mr Owens said.

Read the report and keep updated on the Waikanae Park refresh at www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/WaikanaeParkRefresh

Anyone who wants to be notified about the opportunity to provide input should sign up to haveyoursay.kapiticoast.govt.nz/register