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| Eli Hughes of Matamata performing skateboard tricks during a demonstration at the opening of the park |
Matamata youth have
upgraded skateboard park facilities, thanks to the efforts of their local
Rotary club plus many businesses and organisations in the New Zealand Waikato
town.
Originally built in
conjunction with the Rotary Club of Matamata in the late 1980s, the area was in
need of an upgrade, so after several years of planning and facilitating, an
ambitious $94,000 upgrade was undertaken over three months which culminated in
the official opening of the area in early November 2012.
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| Concrete work being undertaken to form the skateboard park bowl during construction. |
The local
Matamata-Piako District Council contributed $50,000 to the upgrade with Rotary
putting in $20,000 while local businesses, trusts, Kiwanis and Lions clubs came
up with the balance of the funding.
Matamata Rotary
President Graeme Guilford told a crowd of about 200 at the opening that the
project was a shining example of what could be achieved if community groups
worked together towards a common goal.
The ribbon was cut
by Joyce Wheadon, widow of late Rotarian Jim Wheadon (PHF), who was a leading
light in the original skateboard park construction in Matamata.
Matamata Rotary
also took the opportunity at the event to award a Paul Harris Fellow to
Rotarian Ross Bay, who was the driving force behind ensuring the upgrade was
completed on time, below budget and to a very high standard. Ross put his heart
and soul into the project, spending countless hours assisting the paid
contractor to complete the work.
The proof of the
upgrade success is seen in the numbers of young people enjoying the facility,
and the crowd at the opening was treated to some highflying aerobatics by
several of the more accomplished Matamata teenagers before more than 70
youngsters also took to the concrete to conclude the opening.
