Letters: Skate park upgrade good for city

ROLLING: The proposed new skatepark development. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

It's been great to read and hear so much positivity about the proposed Rotorua skate park upgrade. I've seen comment from younger people who spend hours honing their skills down at the current skate park talking about new possibilities for further progression that an upgrade will unlock. I've also heard from parents, who looking forward to having an upgraded space to spend time outside with their younger children zooming around the skatepark.

Although the wheels of local bureaucracy move slower than I'm sure anyone would like, in the case of a skate park upgrade, it's probably for the best. As with any concrete structure, you really only get one chance to get it right, as even minor adjustments are nigh on impossible to make once the concrete sets, a badly placed skate park feature could mean the difference between a section being the best in the country or the absolute worst.

It is for this reason that it is great that the council have both worked with a group representative of skate park users to put together the proposed design, and they are now seeking feedback from the wider public.

Just as Rotorua's world renowned mountain bike trails bring thousands of visitors each year to Rotorua, if the skate park is upgraded to the incredible standard proposed, it will mean Rotorua will become a fixture on all skatepark users' itineraries as they travel the country.

A public park which brings both social and financial good to our city can only be a good thing.

RYAN GRAY
Rotorua

An open letter to Todd McClay MP.

Dear Todd, our local MP and our representative in government; very soon now you will be hoping that some or many of us will be voting for you, and the government you represent, so just let me make a point or two!

Now one of the many issues facing we Kiwis is the disparity in food prices between here and over the Tas - these prices are gross Todd! Also the tax on sugar drinks; many of our citizens, children included, are among the fattest in the world, and yet I don't see you backing the demand for an increased tax on these drinks - as they have done in dozens of other countries - what are your views?

You also have said little if anything about the housing scandal. Are you not concerned?

There is still GST being charged on food, this is again something very few civilised countries do. Would you comment?

We pensioners, having worked and saved all our lives, have not benefited from the recent budget - the pittance we get is eaten up with increased local rates.

Many of the pensioners in town have been burgled - one four times! Now I know the police are doing their best but do you feel we need more of them? We no longer feel safe on the streets, in our houses - or away from them. Could you comment?

I would love to hear from you Todd.

JIM ADAMS
Rotorua