Safety fences will go up in the Ashburton Domain over the next two weeks as work begins on a new community bike skills park project.
The first sod for the Tarbottom RideSmart Park project was turned today by Ashburton Mayor Liz McMillan.
It has been designed to teach road safety skills to children, young people and adults as they learn how to ride a bike or scooter and to be a destination for families and district visitors.
As work gets under way it will see the removal of the existing pump track but most of the mature trees around the site have been incorporated into the design.
Once completed road features will include roads, traffic lights, a railway track, stop and give way intersections, a cattle stop grate, shingle trail, curving bends and another pump track section.
It will take about three months to build and is being funded by the community with sponsorship and grant
McMillan had the honour today of turning the first sod with the aid of a 14-tonne excavator.
“It’s so great to get to this stage of the project after two years of planning, she said.
“There’s been a passionate group of people involved in the design and fundraising, and I especially want to thank Tarbotton Land & Civil and Tim and his family for coming on board as a major sponsor.”
Other community sponsors, including Ashburton service clubs and local businesses, were also invited to the domain for the sod-turning ceremony.
Tim Tarbotton said his family was thrilled to be involved with the project and was donating earthmoving services and project management.
“We’ve also reached out to our suppliers and clients to help make this a reality, and while it’s been a big few months of hardwork we will have a great asset in our community for many generations to come.”
The Mid Canterbury Community Wellbeing and Safety Enhancement Trust received grants from Lottery, the Lion Foundation, and the Mid and South Canterbury Community Trust. Other supporters include Sport Canterbury and local Lion and Rotary service clubs.
