A skatepark you can bank on

THE DEMOLITION of the old skate park at St Leonards is planned for late 2021 to make way for a new skatepark, complete with banks, rails and transitions.

The City of Greater Geelong had previously acknowledged that the design and condition of the St Leonards Skatepark had “been the subject of negative media attention and community petitions, particularly in recent years”.

Working with the local community, including skaters and future skaters, the City developed a concept design for the new recreation space on McLeod Street which included the upgraded skatepark, a resurfaced plexi-pave court with markings for netball and basketball, park furniture and landscaping.

During community consultation on the design, which started in December last year, 148 people responded via the City’s website, 78 online surveys were completed and a further 10 comments were shared via social map.

All people under 39 years of age who responded supported the draft concept plan.

Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said local skaters were “keenly awaiting the redevelopment of the St Leonards Skatepark”.

“Their enthusiasm for the project shows in the overwhelming support received for the draft concept plan that was released in December,” Deputy Mayor Sullivan said.

“Ensuring skate elements were retained in the plan was a key theme in feedback provided by community members, with survey results indicating transitions and banks; fun boxes or street obstacles; and blocks, ledges and manual pads as the top three elements preferred.

“The project is funded by the Victorian Government and the City, which has allowed the project to progress to the next phase.

“We are currently in the process of seeking to engage a specialised contractor to finalise the detailed designs and undertake the construction of the skate park,” he said.

“I look forward to seeing this project take shape and become much-loved by the community of St Leonards, nearby residents in Indented Head and the many visitors who enjoy holidaying here.”

The skatepark project will be delivered in stages, with stage one involving the demolition of the existing skate park elements and scheduled for later this year.