A decade and $500,000 later the Timaru Suburban Lions Bike Skills Park project has hit its final milestone.
On Saturday, a small celebration was held to mark the official completion of the project and hand the park over to the Timaru District Council.
Project organising committee chairman Bruce Fraser said the idea for a bike skills park in Timaru was conceived in 2015 when visiting a Lions Club convention in Napier.
‘‘We saw a bike park up there and thought ‘we’ll have one of those in Timaru’.
‘‘At that convention Lions Clubs throughout the world were challenged by Lions Club International to consider a worthy project within their communities which would enhance the wellbeing and benefit those communities leading into the 2017 centenary year of Lionism.’’
A small committee was formed from within the Timaru Suburban Lions club with the plan to create a bike skills park that would replicate a fully operational roading layout in miniature — incorporating operational solar powered traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, one-way traffic flow, two-way traffic flow, and give way and stop signs.
Mr Fraser said construction on the project began in 2018.
‘‘Unfortunately, Covid was a major inhibitor to progress and the project suffered with time delays and major cost increases of materials, labour and services. However, we persevered and finally, in 2025 the project came to fruition.
‘‘This project has not only been a huge challenge for our club but also a massive success for the community. It has been a 10-year journey and at times daunting.
‘‘I think we have achieved a truly remarkable bike park for the benefit of the community, giving those who use it the opportunity to gain some riding skills. The support from so many people, companies and businesses alike has made this project a milestone for our club and a legacy to Lions.’’
Timaru District Mayor Nigel Bowen said skills park was a wonderful addition to Timaru.
‘‘Councils can’t do all of these things and into the future it’s going to be even harder. So where we can have groups such as Timaru Suburban drive these projects, the community is going to be so much better off for it.’’
Mr Fraser was very appreciative of everyone that had been involved with the project over the years.
‘‘To all of the contractors, suppliers of services . . . we are very grateful of your support, we could not have done it without you.
‘‘And to our very own Lions Club of Timaru Suburban for having the gumption and belief in the members of this small group who could and would fulfil the task of completing the challenge laid down by Lions Clubs International way back in Napier 2015.
‘‘We did it with unwavering support and created a legacy for our club, for Lions and for the community, for which we can all take credit, a job well done.’’
