Page 7 - WaikaiaForestTrailsSummary

02.

The vision
Create a high quality progressive mountain bike trail network which will compliment and enhance the Southland
mountain bike provision and increase recreational tourism visits/overnight stays in the area.

This will be the first MTB project of its kind in Southland. It will be the first professionally planned and constructed
public mountain bike trail network. A professionally built facility will be up to date with modern MTB trends, utilise
modern sustainable build processes, enhance uptake through providing excellent facilities and increase sustain-
ability through good trail design and management. The Trust is also working with the builders (Elevate Trails) to
include the local volunteers with the build process. This will up-skill the (north) Southland MTB trail building com-
munity with huge potential for “trickle down” into other projects.

The Development
• Approximately 25km of MTB trail in the Waikaia forest
• A trail hub located in the town of Waikaia linking MTB enthusiasts with the town and the existing facilities.

Aims

• Create an excellent trail experience based on quality.
• Develop a mountain bike facility which compliments and enhances mountain biking in Southland.
• Develop a facility which will cater for all riders, with an emphasis on introduction to and progression
within the sport.
• Targeting families and recreational users as the large percentage of users.
• Increase uptake of the sport.
• Host events.
• Develop an outdoor sporting experience for Physical Education, School Camps and Buddy System Programs.

Community Benefits

• A new tourism draw for the area complimentary to existing provisions.
• Enhanced opportunities for business in Waikaia.
• Recreational and health benefits from access to the sport.
• Potential job opportunities for residents from increased visitor numbers.
• Education through including the local MTB community in the professional build process.
• Education through historic interpretation and links with museum.

Staging
• Circulate staged development plan with key stake holders for feed back (including wider MTB community).
• Identify key potential funding organisations and meet with them.
• Prepare fundraising strategy.
• Establish volunteer base.
• Implement development plan.
• Continue to monitor and assess.

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