Truck doing works in front of Selwyn Sport Centre

The Selwyn District Council has started work on a unique parkour area, 3x3 basketball court and wheels area as part of a dedicated Youth Zone at Foster Park in Rolleston.

“Selwyn has one of the largest population groups under 24 years of age and this Youth Zone is part of the Council’s commitment to make the district a great place to live, work and play, for young and old,” says Tim Mason, Executive Director of Infrastructure and Property.

Foster Park in Rolleston was recently recognised as the Active Park/Sportsground of the Year, at the Recreation Aotearoa Awards and Mason says that the new Youth Zone, as well as completing the Foster Park central area, will put the finishing touches on a state-of-the-art community facility.

The new Youth Zone will be constructed next to the destination playground on Broadlands Drive and will create an alternative user experience to add to the sporting activities provided on the fields and at the Selwyn Sport Centre.

“The area is aimed at young people who may feel they have outgrown the playground, so they can try out different activities, while their younger siblings can use equipment at the destination playground,” says Mason, who points out that the parkour section will be the first of its kind in the district.

“Our team decided to include a parkour space, to enable our young to try out this rapidly growing activity in which they increase their fitness and strength while also pushing past their fears and personal limits,”

The new zone will also include a green space and seating where the young people and their parents can hang out.

Mason says the Youth Zone aligns perfectly with Piki Amokura, the recently adopted youth strategy to empower young people aged 12–24 years to navigate challenges, embrace opportunities and fulfil their potential.

He says young people play a key role in the future success of the district and the new strategy identified access to quality education, housing and transport as vital ingredients to flourish, as well as dedicated services and locations like the Youth Zone.

“By providing exciting locations and activities for young people to enjoy living in Selwyn, we hope we can encourage them to build their own future in the district.”

The work on the Youth Zone is expected to be completed in June 2025.

Last modified: 11 Oct 2024 10:40am