Charles Sturt's Rotorua skate park dream moves a step closer at Kuirau Park site.

Charles Sturt's daughter Elizabeth Coppard, grandson Charles Coppard and wife Denise Sturt at the site of the new skate park at Kuirau Park. Photo / Andrew Warner

A dream of Charles Sturt for Rotorua youth to have a multi-purpose skate park is moving a step closer with a large amount of dirt to be placed at the site.

More than 3000 cubic metres of earth will be transported to Kuirau Park from the Rotorua Lakefront, marking the next step toward a new skate park for Rotorua and helping to save money.

The material has been at Rotorua Lakefront for the past four months to preload the new playground site and will serve the same purpose for the skatepark.

A purpose-built advanced skate park was a pet project of Sturt's, who died in February 2020 from cancer.

Charles Sturt was a Rotorua District Councillor for 33 years. Photo / File

Sturt was a district councillor for 33 years and held the sport and recreation portfolio.

His wife, Denise, told the Rotorua Daily Post this week it was exciting to hear progress was being made on the new skate park.

"Since 2017 he started on this project and it's great to see something happening. It all started when the youth came to him and asked his help and he was so impressed with the presentation they gave he got right behind it. He was always about supporting what the youth wanted and was passionate about a new skate park to help keep them occupied."

Sturt's daughter, Elizabeth Sturt, said it was pleasing to hear the council intended to plant a kōwhai tree at the park her father had donated to the council shortly before he stepped down from his role in 2019.

Charles Sturt (right) who championed the skate park development, with Rotorua Lakes Council sport, recreation and environment manager Rob Pitkethley five months before he died. Photo / File

Council sport, recreation and environment manager Rob Pitkethley said the skate park would extend the no cost, family-friendly offerings the area provided and connected youth and family groups with other recreational activities close to the park including the Aquatic Centre and CyWay.

"The kōwhai tree will be integrated into the landscape design and as this process develops any memorial will be appropriately considered."

Pitkethley said Rotorua had some wonderful community skate park facilities that encouraged beginners and mid-range skaters and this new facility would provide a progression from beginners through to features for advanced skaters, which was lacking in Rotorua.

A project team made up of council staff, community advisers, an urban skate park designer and landscaper would develop a concept design ready for construction scheduled to start later this year.

The old skate park at Sheaf Park would be removed and the council was investigating other recreational uses for that site.

The council said project timing and a final budget would depend on availability of resources and further geotech results.

"Ideally, the project team would like to see movement on the development before the end of this financial year."

Council operations group manager Jocelyn Mikaere said the preloading process used a large amount of earth to compress and stabilise the ground. It reduced the risk of uneven settlement during and after construction.

The work to move the material would take about a month and will be about 1.5m at the highest point. It will be in place for about 12 to 24 months. Once all the preload material is on-site at Kuirau Park it will be grass seeded to stabilise the soil and prevent dust.

"We've always said this project will rely on external funding, so being able to save significant costs by recycling the preload from the lakefront redevelopment will have a positive impact on the overall project budget," Mikaere said.

The proposal to move the skate park to Kuirau Park was signalled to the community during the 2018-2028 Long Term Plan consultation period and the council set aside $750,000 for preliminary work.

Part of that funding was used for geotechnical tests which had provided assurance that Kuirau Park would be suitable.

The new park, which would be located at the corner of Kuirau Rd and Pukuatua St, would cater for skateboarders, scooters, roller skaters and trick bikes.

Charles Sturt's daughter Elizabeth Coppard, grandson Charles Coppard and wife Denise Sturt at the site of the new skate park at Kuirau Park. Photo / Andrew Warner

The council and the advisory group would work with the community on the design.

Council's skate park project team would also continue to seek external funding opportunities.

The site was chosen because it was visible to the road.

The project had been delayed as it relied on external funding and many had been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to feedback from the community, the new skate park should include equipment for all abilities, skateable art feature that reflect what is unique about Rotorua, elements to enable both community and national events, seating, shade, planting, lawn areas, security and lighting.