A new pony facility has opened in Greenhithe today giving local youth a central hub for equestrian activities on Auckland's North Shore.
The $8 million facility is now open at Wainoni Park where the existing facilities have been extensively upgraded, as part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project.
NZ Transport Agency Senior Project Delivery Manager Karen Boyt, says two new arenas have been built at the facility to be shared by the whole community in one place.
"This facility was built for the newly formed Wainoni Park Pony Club and it also includes a specially built area to cater for the Greenhithe Riding for the Disabled who have always trained in this area."
It is the second of three facilities which are being relocated and improved as part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project.
The Transport Agency joined Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and councillors, Upper Harbour Local Board members, Mana Whenua, Wainoni Park Pony Club and Greenhithe Riding for the Disabled members to celebrate the opening.
A group of keen pony riders turned out to ride the new all-weather arena, which includes a new riding path with lighting so riders can easily connect to the second arena at the other side of the park. A brand new clubhouse has also been built, alongside toilets, extra parking for horse floats and new grooming pens.
The new facility will benefit local youth and provides a much needed community space to cater for growth of equestrian sport on the North Shore. This followed the merging of the Rosedale, Greenhithe and Whenuapai Pony Clubs to form the Wainoni Park Pony Club.
The Transport Agency worked with the affected sports clubs, Auckland Council and the local community resulting in the proposal to relocate the three clubs being approved in December 2017. Construction of the new Wainoni Park Pony Club facility started in March 2018.
A new North Harbour BMX facility was completed last year and North Harbour Hockey are also scheduled to move to a new facility, to enable construction of the new motorway route.
The Northern Corridor Improvements project will provide a much needed transport upgrade for the whole Albany and North Harbour community. It includes a proposed busway station, over 7kms of new walking and cycling paths, a new motorway connection between SH1 and SH18 and will open up access to the Western Ring Route and travel to the airport.
Wainoni Park Pony Club riders try out the all-weather arena, upgraded as part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project
For more information on joining the Wainoni Park Pony Club visit www.wainoniparkponyclub.co.nz(external link)
For project information, visit www.nzta.govt.nz/nci(external link) or www.facebook.com/NZTAAkl(external link) or
call the project freephone number 0800 624 776.
