Plans for a new bike skills park in the Ashburton Domain have received a $115,000 injection via a grant from the Lion Foundation.

The money means the group of community members charged with bringing the park to life has tentatively pencilled in a start work date in March next year.

Mayor Liz McMillan is on the working group and said today she was thrilled the Lion Foundation application had been successful.

“This is great news and a massive boost for the project, which is gathering funds and already has a lot of support in the community and from local businesses.”

The park is aimed at teaching children, young people and adults how to ride a bike/scooter and about the road safety skills they need when moving around urban areas, on wheels or on foot. A concept plan shows a roading network with a railway crossing, traffic lights, a roundabout and give way and stop signs.

It will be built next to the children’s playground in the Ashburton Domain.

The Mid Canterbury Community Wellbeing and Safety Enhancement Trust was formed last year to apply for funds for the project and it has already received $75,000 from the Mid and South Canterbury Community Trust, as well as donations from local services clubs and benefactors.

“These grants give us confidence that we’ll get there and we’re planning a major announcement in the next few weeks about the park’s name and who will build it, plus there’ll be some sponsorship opportunities for local businesses, groups and people,” Mayor Liz said.

“We’ve been blown away by the expertise and skills offered to us for this road safety project and we’re indebted to our generous community who want to make it happen.”

Council granted resource consent for the project earlier this year, and will take over maintenance of the park once constructed.