Tunatuna the Murihiku portable pump track, now installed at Invercargill’s Russell Square, was the place for a Kiwi Christmas-themed event on Wednesday evening.

Unfortunately the rain came, but 120 members of the Invercargill community, including 75 young people, attended the event, which included entertainment, free bike checks, prizes, a performance by slopestyle/ dirt jump mountain bike rider Levi Goodall, and a barbeque by Elles Road New World and Te Kapahaka o Ngā Hau e Whā.

Healthy Families Invercargill Active Transport Innovator Laura Dowling, who is coordinating the project, said, “It’s great to see Tunatuna already getting plenty of use at Russell Square. Tunatuna offers a new and exciting play and recreational opportunity. It’s been made possible by excellent project collaboration, and we want to thank all the local people who have helped us make it happen.”

Chris Bowen, Invercargill City Council Open Spaces and Recreation Strategic Advisor says this regional pump track is absolutely focused on activating spaces around Southland. "We want to thank Waka Kotahi and Active Southland for their mahi to get this resource here. And our friends at Cycling Southland, BMX Southland and all the bike clubs for moving it around the region.”

Tunatuna will spend about 12 weeks at Russell Square before moving to its next temporary home in the Wyndham area.

The purpose of the track is to create a temporary community hub and bring communities together through active recreation. The track is available for anyone to use at any time.

As well as presenting a new recreation opportunity, Tunatuna has been a safe place for users to practice and increase their confidence on bikes, scooters and skateboards, so they’re more likely to use active transport going forward.

The portable pump track is owned and maintained by Cycling Southland, with support from the Southland Mountain Bike Club, the Southland BMX Club, and the Southland Triathlon and Multisport Club.

A range of community organisations and funders are involved, including the Community Trust South, ILT Foundation, Waka Kotahi, Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa (administered by Active Southland), Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council and Gore District Council.

ENDS

Article added: Wednesday 06 December 2023