Skaters in Bairnsdale will soon have improved facilities with an upgrade to the Bairnsdale Skate Park to be completed by East Gippsland Shire Council.
The $450,000 park has been designed for all ages and skill levels. It will include a fully-enclosed bowl, 'street' course with hips, banks, ledges, ramps and stairs, and conversion of the current concrete slab to an open plaza area with garden beds.
Council has allocated $200,000 for the project, and has been awarded $250,000 from the State Government's Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
Mayor Cr Natalie O'Connell said it's exciting that Council has been awarded the funding from State Government to assist in completing the skate park redevelopment as part of its $45 million capital works program for 2019-20.
"The community provided great feedback on the initial phase of the project in May 2018, and two user group workshops were held to provide input into the concept designs," Cr O'Connell said.
"Our reference group, youth ambassadors, interest groups, retailers and individuals were directly consulted and briefed on the community feedback and project.
"The upgraded skate park will provide a space for fun and healthy activity for the town's young people and skate boarder, scooter, BMX and in-line skater community. It will be an additional drawcard for visitors located alongside the popular All Abilities Playground.
"The skate park will become an inviting space for our community to enjoy well into the future and allow more competitions for skaters, scooter riders and BMX riders in Bairnsdale."
Council engaged professional skate park design consultants Baseplate/EastbyWest to develop the design work. The next step is to tender for the construction.
The original skate park was established by community members more than 20 years ago.
East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Cr Natalie O'Connell, Carla and Elizabeth Hall, Wayne Richards (Council's Manager Community Facilities and Open Space) and Brandon John view the new skate park plans.
