An official opening for the new $163,760 Pump and Bike Track around the Pārāwai School field took place recently.
Mātua Waati Ngamane of Ngāti Maru was invited to bless the new circuit, which was built by Trail Pro, at around noon on March 3, then students were allowed to take to the tracks on their wheels.
Pārāwai students, staff and teachers were invited to join together after school at 3pm for a ride around on the track and a sausage sizzle put on by the school.
The project was made possible by the support and grants of $50,000 from Pub Charity, $50,000 from We Care Community Trust, and the remainder from the Pārāwai School board and also school fundraising.
In its grant application, the school said the track on the grounds at Pārāwai School was much closer to home for children of the community, who would be able to visit the school grounds to ride bikes and scooters locally and in safety with friends.
It would also be an asset to the independent after school and holiday care programmes which were held at Pārāwai School, and included children from schools across the wider Thames area, the school said.
