Grovetown School - Project Pedal Power Model: How the school pulled together
How the school pulled together
The school’s journey has been driven by the pupils. Grovetown has an active Healthy School’s committee made up of children and teachers. Pupils have to apply to be part of the committee. The group was looking for ideas on how to get the school more active and decided to ask the pupils themselves.
The resounding answer was cycling for both boys and girls, and things kicked off with a triathlon designed by the pupils. Enthusiasm was high after the event and it was decided the next step would be to form Project Pedal Power to get things happening.
The project involved setting the school up for safe, fun cycling on the grounds, but also improving conditions for biking to and from the school, which is situated 2km from Blenheim.
The first task was to organise glow jackets with the school’s names on, so that they would be more visible outside the school. Local landowners were also approached so that children could access their land safely.
The next job was the all weather track. The children knew what sort of design they wanted but needed some expert advice and so went to local cycling identity Greg Leov, father of Justin Leov, a nationally ranked Down Hill Mountain Biking rider. Greg was able to bring a wealth of experience having designed the track used for the DH Nationals between Picton and Blenheim. They talked to him about what was possible and parents rallied around.
After being approached by the school, Greg accessed an aerial map of the school site and then met with pupils from the school and the local police education officer. The children went back and surveyed their classmates about what they wanted and the committee prepared a wish list for Greg, who then drew up plans for what could practically be built.
Greg says there were really only two raw materials required to build the 500m – rotten rock and top soil. Two trailer loads of rock cost $1,400. Rotten Rock was used because it packs down well to provide an all weather surface which gives good control. It is commonly used for walking tracks, giving the track a double purpose. During wet weather when running on the school fields is impossible, the track is still usable.
The top soil was sourced for free and a parent with connections in the earth moving industry brought in a digger.
Greg says the key thing cost-wise when building a track is to find someone who can access a digger. “Someone in the school will know someone and that is the way to keep the cost down,” he says. “It is also easy to find low cost or free top soil or clay.”
A start gate was constructed, burms (banked corners) built up and “table top” style ramps created with soil. The course is designed so that there are more corners close to areas of activity such as the playground to keep speed down, and straighter runs down boundary lines away from activities.
The track has proven very weather hardy. During the recent run of heavy weather school sport has been cancelled for weeks on end around the country, but the school’s track has been available on all but one or two days.
Greg has also been involved in building a similar track at nearby Wairau Valley School.
The school is now looking to make further progress to increase cycling options. Through talks with Blenheim Council about creating a track to join the school to Blenheim, the school hopes that pupils will be able to use their bikes on school trips into town. Blenheim is only 2km away, but the highway is not safe for the children to cycle on. They are also trying to source bikes that can stay at school for use by pupils who come by bus. If bikes are available for loan at school, these children can still enjoy cycling during school hours.
Grovetown’s efforts supported their participation in a broader project, the Mission-On initiative aimed at giving young New Zealanders and their families the tools to improve their nutrition and increase physical activity. Grovetown celebrated the one year anniversary of the campaign by opening their new bike track in September, 2007.
Updated | 16 Sep 2008.
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