“Yusss.”
The blessing was done, the speeches were over, the ribbon was cut and that word from the students at Rotorua Intermediate School said it all.
It was time to sprint to their bikes, buckle up their helmets and try out their new $100,000 pump track.
It was a dream two years in the making. The new asphalt track got the thumbs up from students as they whizzed around, sharing the moment with some of the city’s top professional young mountain bike riders.
Lachie Stevens-McNab and Tuhoto-Ariki Pene were guests at yesterday’s official opening and blessing.
Pene said the track was a massive asset to the school and students.
“You can sit on a pump track like this for hours with your mates and have fun.”
He said it gave those interested in riding the chance to move up to the next level, while also helping newer riders feel comfortable on a bike.
Head girl Maia Te Kiri and head boy Eli Cyca hosted the opening, introducing teacher Jayne Hendrikse.
The track is Hendrikse’s brainchild. She said it was funded by the Bikes In Schools initiative, Rotorua Trust and the school’s board of trustees.
Empire of Dirt designed and built the track and delivered exactly what they wanted, Hendrikse said.
She said the $100,000 investment, alongside the original fleet of mountain bikes, helmets and shipping container, represented a substantial commitment to providing students with ongoing opportunities for riding, recreation and skill development.
“With such a significant investment, the school wanted to take the time to get the design right and create a facility that would cater for a range of abilities, from beginners through to more confident riders, while providing long-term value for students.”
The track took about three weeks to build.
Hendrikse said all Rotorua Intermediate School students would benefit from the track. Students would have riding skills sessions before using it to practise braking, gear use, body position, cornering and bike control.
She said Year 8 students would get priority training in the coming weeks so they could have time on it before leaving for secondary school.
A key part of the project was improving access and equity, she said.
“Although Rotorua has an incredible mountain biking environment on its doorstep, not every young person has the equipment, confidence or opportunity to get involved.
“Having bikes, helmets and a track at school removes some of these barriers and gives students the chance to experience mountain biking in a familiar, supportive environment.”
Hendrikse said Bikes in Schools was instrumental in making the project possible.
She said Mountain Bike Rotorua had also been supportive.
The school was set to build on the investment by setting up a Bike Crew, offering bike maintenance opportunities, setting up a girls’ riding group and eventually looking to buy a bike trailer to take students into the Whakarewarewa Forest.
Hendrikse said professional riders like Stevens-McNab and Pene, who had competed and achieved on the world stage, inspired the students.
“The school hopes the track will help develop a new generation of confident riders and perhaps even future mountain bike athletes.”
She said ultimately it was more than a pump track.
“It is about giving students opportunities, building confidence and helping them make the most of the incredible mountain biking environment right here in Rotorua.”
Principal Garry De Thierry told Hendrikse he hoped she could now take time to reflect on her “amazing contribution” to see this project through to the end.
“This learning opportunity for our current students and future students will always be your legacy.”
Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 30 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.