Skate continues to create positive opportunities and pathways for young people across Christchurch.

This week, plans have been confirmed for a new skate area in Sumner village. This Christchurch project is only the fifth initiative of its kind to be created by Levi’s ® globally.

"From the launch of Cheapskates Skate Skool in Christchurch in 2011, we have seen the value of this sport in communities across the region," says Sport Canterbury Chief Executive Julyan Falloon.

"As with Washington Park, this area will become an opportunity for more young people to participate, develop skills and enjoy a sense of achievement. The benefits of activity for our young people relate to physical and mental health, as well as building positive social networks.

"This is great news for local families, Sumner village and our wider community."

Levi’s ® have been funding skate areas for local communities around the world, with successful projects in both India and South Africa. They now have funding available to build a beginner to intermediate skate area in Sumner.More than 1,000 Sumner residents took the opportunity to have a say on the proposed Levi’s ® skate area in their village. Of the 1,006 submissions received, 84 per cent were fully supportive of the project."We are grateful for Levi’s ® offer to fund a skate area in Sumner," says Sara Templeton, Chair of the Hagley ̶ Ferrymead Community Board."The design for the skate area is very sympathetic to the surrounding landscape, with the highest structure barely visible from the road."This is a wonderful opportunity for the local community, especially our young people, to have such a facility in their village."I'd like to thank everyone who came to the meeting and put forward their views so passionately. The Sumner community have been fully engaged in the process and I believe that the outcome is the best for the area."Levi’s ® selected Sumner as their preferred location for a skate area in Australasia due to it being mentioned in both the 2004 Skate Strategy for Christchurch and the Sumner Village Centre Master Plan. The cost to build this skate area would be funded entirely by Levi’s ®. Christchurch City Council will provide the land and on-going maintenance for the site.Seeing first-hand the devastation caused by the Canterbury earthquakes from 2011, Nicky Rowsell, Levi’s ® Marketing Manager AUS/NZ, knew that Levi’s ® could play a positive role in the rejuvenation of the city and its residents. 

“Communities benefit greatly from accessible facilities that promote inclusivity and active participation. By providing the youth of Greater Christchurch with a unique, new and exciting park to skate, we are also fostering the skate talent of tomorrow," Ms Rowsell says.Levi’s ® have been funding skate areas for local communities around the world, with successful projects in both India and South Africa. They now have funding available to build a beginner to intermediate skate area in Sumner. This project is only the fifth initiative of its kind to be created by Levi’s ® globally.