Builders quit skatepark deal
Auckland firm Premium Skateparks has pulled out of constructing the $1.4 million William Nelson Park in central Hastings and the project has been put out to tender once again.
Construction on the park was due to begin last month but the Hastings District Council said the delay was due to pressure on the company brought about by reconstruction work in the wake of the Christchurch earthquakes.
Premium Skatepark owner Jason Parkes was working through the logistics of adding the Hastings project to his other commitments but his firm had decided to withdraw.
Councillor Sandra Hazlehurst said Mr Parkes was the most experienced skatepark builder in the country and she was disappointed he had pulled out of the project.
"The project team understands his reluctant withdrawal and recognises that committing to our project would overstretch the resources that he has available, given the amount of work he has already accepted."
Mr Parkes would remain as a consultant to the project and will oversee the construction of the skate plaza and bowl at the park.
She said the plan was to build the skatepark first and then offer a second contract for the construction of the passive park and the children's playground.
"It has now been decided to let the construction of the entire park, comprising 2000sq m skate facility and 4000sq m inner-city greenspace as a single contract. Expressions of interest for the construction of William Nelson Park have been called this week."
Mrs Hazlehurst said the project team was working hard towards achieving a start date early next year.
"We understand the disappointment the delay has caused.
"However, we hope that the community understands that council is fully committed to delivering a Hastings City park that is of the highest standard."
The William Nelson Park development will include a park, a children's playground and a skate plaza.
Nobody is more disappointed in the delay than Hastings roller-blader Sarah Vandenberg of Hastings. She works at Napier's Sk8zone.
"I thing the delay is very slack," she said.
"Being at Sk8zone, me and Pat get things done. I bet by the time we get the Sk8zone extension, they won't even have started."
The park is to be built on an area bounded by St Aubyn St, Avenue Rd and King St, and has been named in honour of William Nelson, who founded the Tomoana Freezing Works and donated the land.
