Campaign continues for skatepark

TEN-year-old Salva is persisting in his quest to see a skatepark built in Quarry Hill.

Since he first began his campaign, he’s collected 149 signatures for a petition, which has now been presented to the City of Greater Bendigo council at last week’s meeting.

“There’s a few kids that I know around this area and a few skaters as well and lot of people who scoot as well and there’s no real places to do that except footpaths and roads,” he said.

As part of the effort Salva said he had spoken with mayor Cr Jennifer Alden, who encouraged his campaigning.

“She said she would submit it to a council meeting, and we watched the livestream of it,” Salva said.

He said it was “awesome” to see his petition read out during the meeting.

The Quarry Hill Primary School student has been skating for the past 18 months and has to travel to either McIvor Road or Eaglehawk for the nearest skate park.

Salva’s mum Heidi McIntosh said she it’s great to watch Salva’s passion for something beneficial to be built for the neighbourhood.

“I think that just shows he’s thinking beyond himself and I think that’s pretty cool,” she said.

With no nearby skateparks, Ms McIntosh said she is frequently driving Salva and his friends across town to skate.

“He’s got one or two really good mates that love skating as well and I find that I do I’m driving to the skatepark fairly often or picking up a mate and taking them to the skatepark together,” she said.

The City of Greater Bendigo recently announced plans for Bendigo Skatepark on McIvor Road to be moved to Ewing Park, subject to State Government funding.

“If a skatepark is built at Ewing Park that means that Salva could ride his bike there with a skateboard on his back and it could be like a ten-minute bike ride,” Ms McIntosh said.

Salva and his family have been kept in touch regarding any updates to Ewing Park, and council will have a response within two meetings.

“The council have been so supportive in just acknowledging the idea and acknowledging that it’s come from someone who’s young,” she said.

Salva said having a skatepark close to home will allow him to continue to develop his favourite hobby.

“I just love the freedom of being able to cruise along without handlebars and I like all the tricks you can do,” he said.