Memorial Park bridge to be replaced
24 July 2018
Waipa District Council has voted to replace a popular pedestrian bridge in Te Awamutu following feedback from the community.
Council received 198 submissions about the future of the bridge which connects Pioneer Walkway with the playground and pond area in Te Awamutu's Memorial Park. The community was asked if it would prefer to remove the bridge and improve accessways to the other areas of the park, or replace it with a new bridge in the same spot.
Nearly 90% of submitters wanted the bridge replaced in the same location.
Most councillors favoured this option as it increased accessibility for older people and families with children to reach the picnicking area on the other side of the Mangaohoi Stream.
Community facilities manager Bruce Airey said the next step is to design a bridge to suit the needs of the area and people from the community who will use it.
Once the design and tender for construction is underway we will have a better idea of when the new bridge can be built, he said.
Funding for the new bridge is likely to come from existing budgets.
The pedestrian bridge closed in October 2017 after a routine structural assessment raised concerns with its safety. Due to the level of work required and cost to bring the bridge up to a safe standard, it was recommended the bridge be removed.
A water fountain near the playground will be removed at the same time as the bridge but not replaced.