Work has begun on a new Otatara pump track thanks to a legacy left by Otatara man Derek Gostelow and his family.

Gostelow, a former Otatara resident, left $90,000 in his will for the Invercargill City Council to use for community projects within the Otatara area and community.

After consultation it was decided that an asphalt pump (bike) track, park benches, and informal play area would be introduced to the site on the corner of Dunns Rd and Oreti Rd. 

A pump track is a looped series of hills and banked turns for bike riders designed to maximise momentum, so riders can travel with minimal pedalling.

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Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt, Council Parks Planning Manager Lesley McCoy, Gostelow family representative Glenys Larby-Hawkes and community petition organiser Penny Ivey joined Southroads crew members at the turning of the first sod at the site on Monday.

Sir Tim said this was a day to be celebrated.

“It’s marvelous to see a community taking real ownership of its recreation spaces,” he said.

Otatara resident Penny Ivey, who had been instrumental in the decision to build the pump track, was looking forward to the track’s completion.

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“The council listened to the community and the wait will have been worth it.”

Larby-Hawkes was thrilled at the thought of her family helping to celebrate something for the younger members of the community.

“I’m so proud of the crowd out here that have pushed to have this and I think it will be wonderful for the kids.”

The council has added an extra $48,000 towards the project for landscaping work as well as a contingency fund.

The track is estimated to be ready to ride by Christmas with the landscaping to be done after summer.