Waihī hub could offer options for all ages

An outdoor recreation hub could offer up a safe, social space that gives the youth of Waihī more to do in town.
The Waihī Community Forum is partnering with Hauraki District Council to propose a new outside recreation area that features a much-needed modern skate park, pump track, playground area, and BBQ.
The hub – designed with all ages in mind – has received “generally very positive support”, with the community calling for flat, shaded areas, a family space, and options for the town’s youth.
“Many are telling us there needs to be more for young people to do in town,” Waihī Community Forum chair Bindy Burke said.
“The skate park and pump track seem to be the most popular, but we’ve also had other good suggestions – like a flat, shaded area for residents to do Tai Chi, exercises, and picnic tables and a BBQ area for families, so that this becomes a safe, social fun space for everyone, and where everything is tied together.”
The suggestions come as the forum conducts an online survey, asking residents what they think about the potential space.
So far, they’ve had more than 100 responses and have generally received very positive support.
“We believed this project could benefit people of all ages in Waihī and be a great addition to our community, so we attended a council meeting and presented our proposal to partner with council on an outdoor recreation hub, which received full council support,” Bindy said.
“We then met with council’s community advocacy officer, Michelle Johns, who gave us great advice on applying for funding for a feasibility study, which we’re in the process of doing.”
The forum had been looking into a new pump track for Waihī since 2021 and received “some strong support from the community”. Meanwhile, a group of students had approached the council requesting an upgrade of the skate park, which Waihī Ward Councillor and Community Forum member Anne Marie Spicer said was clearly in a poor state.
“We had a couple of meetings with local skatepark users and asked them what worked, what didn’t, and what they’d like to see. It soon became apparent that the current skate park area was not fit for purpose – it is too small, too dark and unsafe at night and too close to residents,” she said.
“Given the forum had already been looking into building a pump track, it just made sense to tie these two projects together and create a hub where these and other activities were in one well-designed place. It also made sense to work in partnership with council to source as much external funding – and not ratepayer funding – as possible.”
The forum has been involved in several successful community projects in Waihī, all designed to enhance the town. Past initiatives include murals in town and by Morgan Park, creating a 3×3 basketball area, and the community playground at Waihī East School.
DETAILS: The forum’s survey closes on April 16. To complete it, visit: www.surveymonkey.com/r/6G7V7C7 or the Waihī Community Forum Facebook Page. Everyone who completes the survey and provides contact details will go into the draw to win one of two Prezzy Cards valued at $100.