The Western Bay of Plenty District Council is inviting the community down to Jublie Park for the official opening of Te Puke's new designer skatepark on May 20.

The new $280,000 park, which measures 626m2 and joins up with the bleachers and half basketball court in Jubilee Park, has been a project three years in the making and incorporates a lot of feedback gathered from Te Puke's skating community.

WBOPDC project lead Stephen Lun the park was also designed and built by Rich Landscapes and J-Stone Skate Parks, the same companies who built the award winning Omokoroa skatepath.

'It's been really great to involve the skating community – after all they're the ones that will use the park. They've been heavily involved throughout the process, and vital in fundraising and contributing to the design.

The park has also proven popular with the community since fences came down in late April, adds Stephen.

'It's great to see the park already getting so much use by the community, both boys and girls, young and the not-so-young.”

Celebrations on May 20 will include a blessing, speeches and the ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a chance for locals to show off their skills in BMX, skateboard and scooter competitions, where there will be three categories to enter into – primary/intermediate, secondary and senior open.

There will also be a skills display by one of New Zealand's leading skateboarders, Copious team rider Shaun Boucher.

The district council would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this project possible – including a $15,000 anonymous donation.

Contributions were also received from TECT, First Sovereign Trust, Te Puke Kiwi Coast Lions, Te Puke Community Board, WBOPDC and the Te Puke Skatepark Project Control Group.

The official opening of Te Puke's new designer skatepark takes place at Jubilee Park on Saturday, May 20, from 11am. For more information, visit www.westernbay.govt.nz.

The concept design for the new Te Puke skatepark.