Work on upgrading a playground and skate park in Welcome Bay is due to begin tomorrow.

From Tuesday, May 7, Waitaha Reserve, including the playground and skate park, will be closed to the public while it undergoes an upgrade.
 
"We are planning to improve the playground and recreation facilities of this much-loved reserve," says a Tauranga City Council spokesperson. 

"The focus of the design is on enhancing play opportunities and providing more ways for the community to use the reserve."

Waitaha Reserve is a ‘major neighbourhood play space’ providing for a wide range of ages and abilities for the Welcome Bay community. It is one of five parks and reserves enjoyed by the Welcome Bay community, the others being Tye Park, Waitaha Reserve, Johnson Reserve, and Pelorus Drive Reserve.

Council says the new upgrades include a new basketball court, playground replacement, bike racks, a recycling station, and a range of shaded seating and picnic facilities.

Paths will give improved access to the upper lawn areas. 
 
"We hope to complete these upgrades by October 2024," says a council spokesperson. 

The skatepark is not being upgraded within this project, although the new design allows more room for an upgraded facility in the future. 

Click here for more information.