News Release 

Tuesday 9 July 2013

Cycleway ceremony and fundraiser combine

ROTORUA 09.07.13: Mayor Kevin Winters is encouraging locals to celebrate the completion of the Te Ara Ahi (Go Thermal by Bike) cycleway while helping to raise funds for the Rotorua Special Olympics Team.

The Special Olympics Te Ara Ahi Charity Funride & Hot Swim is on 25 August to help the Rotorua team travel to the national summer games in Dunedin in September.

The event coincides with the official blessing ceremony on 25 August at 1pm for the underpass beneath State Highway 5 at Waiotapu - and final link of the Te Ara Ahi cycleway. Works for the $400,000 build started this week.

Mr Winters said the Waiotapu underpass will be an impressive curved structure which should be finished in time for the blessing ceremony at the end of August.

“While the underbridge will complete the cycleway route, on-going enhancements such as a toilet block at Kerosene Creek, viewing platforms and interpretation panels at Te Kopia Geothermal Reserve, and facilities at Paradise Landing at Lake Ohakuri are planned in conjunction with the Department of Conservation.”

Meanwhile event organiser Cr Dave Donaldson said the funride is comfortably achievable in three hours by people of average fitness.

“People can set off in their own time from 8.30am to ride Te Ara Ahi [Go Thermal by Bike] and reach the new Waiotapu underpass by 1pm in time for the blessing ceremony. Following that, it’s an easy 30 minute ride over the hill to Waikite Valley Thermal Pools where food, coffee and soothing thermals waters await.”

Tickets for the Special Olympics Te Ara Ahi Charity Funride & Hot Swim are $25 and include a donation to Rotorua Special Olympics, hot swim at Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, and Southstar Shuttles ride back to the Waipa MTB carpark afterwards. Tickets available online at www.rotoruanz.com

ENDS

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