The newly reopened bike park at Hāwea Flat School provides one more way for Upper Clutha kids to go flat out.

The ‘Flat Out’ bike park, which reopened on Monday (October 9), features a jump track and a sealed pump track designed by Dirt Dynamics, and a small half pipe built by some of the students.

Hāwea Flat School principal Tania Pringle said the newly designed park was “above and beyond” what the school community had hoped for.

“It’s brought the dream to life,” she said.

The dream started with $1,600 donated to the school by former student and now Winter Olympian Finn Bilous.

An aerial view of the new ‘Flat Out’ park. PHOTO: Luka Cowan 

Tania said the school committed to seal a pump track, and the Ministry of Education pitched in to upgrade the existing bike track.

The original bike park was closed almost two years ago and various delays in the reconstruction meant the community had had to be patient, Tania said.

Since the park opened on Monday, it’s been popular with locals.

Year six student Jaye (11) told the Wānaka App he had already spent “at least a day’s worth” of time at the park.

“It’s fun. It’s better than the old one because there’s more of a selection of things to do.”

Jaye said his favourite feature was the table tops (vertical jumps with a flat area in the middle).

“You hit the vertical bit and if you want to do tricks like a transfer you hit it as hard as you can to get heaps of height.” 

Jaye said he expected to spend at least three days’ worth of time there most weeks.

Fundraising for the new ‘Flat Out’ was undertaken by Friends of Hāwea Flat School and grants were received from Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, and the Wānaka Lions, and some plants were donated by Te Kākano.

Tania said the school was grateful for all the hard work that went into fundraising and for the grants received.

“As we get more funding we will get some more shade, and a picnic table for parents watching their children,” she said.

‘Flat Out’ is open to the public outside school hours and within daylight hours. Access the school grounds via the main car park or the gate opposite the community hall, walk across the field to the walkway behind the yellow playground. Please stick to the fenced paths; don’t walk on the newly seeded grass areas or garden areas and do not climb over the fences. Shoes and helmets are required.