THE need for a bigger and better skate park in St Leonards is in the spotlight again following a petition launched by young local Ethan Coleman.
\n\u200eEthan, 13, has attracted more than 260 signatures for his change.org petition to the City of Greater Geelong, which began three weeks ago.
\n\u201cI would like to say a BIG thank you to everyone who has signed my petition to build a skate park in St Leonards,\u201d Ethan said.
\n\u201cAs a community we are not going to give up until we see that skate park get built.\u201d
\nEthan\u2019s petition states that with an increasing population in his town that a new skate park would give kids more things to do.
\n\u201cCurrently in St Leonards the population is rising with new estates opening up,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cThis means there will be more kids coming into the town of St Leonards.
\n\u201cWhat are these kids going to do on the holidays and weekends?
\n\u201cOpening a skate park in St Leonards will make kids more entertained outside rather than being inside on technology.
\n\u201cHaving a skate park in Portarlington and Drysdale is too far to try and put your bikes and scooters into the car.
\n\u201cSo why not have a skate park here?\u201d
\nEthan\u2019s petition follows one created by local Jyals Maloney three years ago, which attracted almost 250 signatures.\u200e
\n\u201cAfter countless tries the locals have still not succeeded in the debate to rebuild\/upgrade the existing skate park,\u201d Jyals said in his petition statement.
\n\u201cI believe St Leonards, being the amazing town it is, deserves a working skate park for the large amount of youth living in this town.\u201d
\nJyals also created his own YouTube video last year to help raise awareness for his plight.
\nThe video features locals voicing their support that St Leonards needs a new skate park and has the hashtag, #Rebuildstleoskatepark2018.
\nActing Director of Community Life Rhona Pedretti said the St Leonards Skate Park was a City of Greater Geelong asset on Crown land, and that any upgrades to this facility would be
\nconsidered as part of the region-wide skate infrastructure review, which is currently underway.
\nCr Jim Mason said the three Bellarine Ward councillors had been having regular discussions with the St Leonards community about work needed in the town.
\n\u201cCouncil allocated more than $400,000 in this year\u2019s budget for a number of projects,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cIf there is strong community support to have the St Leonards skate park upgraded, this is certainly something we\u2019d like to hear for future budget discussions.\u201d
\nTo sign Ethan\u2019s petition visit change.org and search for \u201cSt Leonards Skate Park\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE need for a bigger and better skate park in St Leonards is in the spotlight again following a petition launched by young local Ethan Coleman. \u200eEthan, 13, has attracted more than 260 signatures for his change.org petition to the City of Greater Geelong, which began three weeks ago. \u201cI would like to say a […]<\/p>\n