Community keeps grinding for a better skate park

ST LEONARDS pupils are using artistic expression to show their eagerness for a new skate park to be built in the area.

Last year, 13-year-old Ethan Coleman formed a petition for a new skate park that attracted more than 260 signatures.

Since then, the group lobbying for the new park have had expressions of support from Bellarine MP Lisa Neville and Corangamite federal member Libby Coker, but have not received a definitive answer from the City of Greater Geelong Council (COGG).

One of the lobbyists, Libby Lesock, said there was still plenty of local interest in getting a new skate park.

“The local children are very keen to get a skate park. There’s only a couple of rails and some uneven bitumen there at the moment.”

With the help of the Portarlington Drysdale Lions Club, they have organised an art competition for all school aged children to enter drawings of their dream park.

Primary school students are encouraged to draw a picture of themselves at their new skate park. Secondary school students can enter by designing their own skateboard deck and in a maximum of 25 words saying why they would like a skate park in St Leonards.

The Lions Club are providing prizes for the winners. There will be both boy and girl winners named for both age levels, with the primary school winners receiving scooters valued at $200 and the secondary school winners receiving skateboards valued at $300.

Ms Lesock said all the artworks entered will then be sent to the COGG,

“We’re going to send all their artwork to the council to really stimulate the council to make a decision.”

All the entries will then be sent to the COGG once the competition closes.

Entries for the competition will be open until 2pm on Monday, February 24.

The winners will then be named at the St Leonards Primary School assembly on March 6.