The cycle underpass under SH84 (the Wanaka-Luggate highway) is all but complete, but an opportunity to turn it from a functional concrete wall into an artistic statement is being explored by the Wanaka Community Board (WCB).

WCB representative on the Lakes District Arts Trust Chris Hadfield said the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) was originally planning to paint the underpass with a nondescript, anti-graffiti finish, but happily put a hold on that plan when approached by the WCB with a wall mural concept.

“It’s still early days,” Chris said but “it’s an opportunity we can’t waste.” 

The WCB was “keen to get something done”, Chris said, and has approached local artist Chrissy Wickes to develop a mural concept and manage the project with input from local schoolchildren, particularly those attending Te Kura O Take Kārara school who use the underpass.

The industrial grey concrete walls of the underpass, winched into place in August, could be transformed by a mural. 

He said “lots of things important to the Wanaka community” will be considered for the mural, such as reflecting Wanaka’s natural environment and culture, but funding is yet to be sourced and work on a detailed concept isn’t likely until the start of the first school term in February 2021.  

This is not the first large-scale community project Chrissy has been asked to manage. Two years ago she was commissioned to ‘update’ the dinosaur at Wanaka’s Dinosaur Park and she has also painted wall murals at Wanaka Primary School.

Local artist Chrissy Wickes has worked on large scale community projects before, including the dinosaur at the Dinosaur Park. 

Highway traffic was diverted for several weeks in August and September this year for the construction of the $1.5M underpass, a joint venture between NZTA and the Queenstown Lakes District Council. 

Ten precast concrete boxes have formed the tunnel under the highway, connecting existing sealed walk/bike paths from Three Parks to established trails around Mt Iron and towards Wanaka’s town centre.

The final asphalt sealing of the bike paths linking to the underpass is underway now and is expected to be completed this week, after which the underpass will be opened to the public.

PHOTOS: Wanaka App