YOUNG people from the Wauchope area have had a major say on the layout of the town’s proposed new skate park.
The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council resolved at its latest meeting to place a concept plan for the park on public exhibition until 11 May.
The plan incorporates most of the suggestions made at a series of recent design workshops including one at Wauchope Primary School, three at Wauchope High School and an open community workshop.
Some of the elements identified at the workshops as being ‘essential’ included a half pipe, boxes and rails, a pump track, stairs and hubbas, seating and shade.
Mayor Peter Besseling encouraged Wauchope residents of all ages to take a look at the concept plan and to get back to the council with their feedback.
“The success of this project will depend very much on continued community engagement and council’s ability to deliver – within reason – on community expectations,” Cr Besseling said.
“The level of engagement to date has been great but we need to make sure potential users of the facility have their say before we progress any further.”
The proposed design features three distinct areas on two levels including a main skate area with a higher degree of difficulty, a kids’ area with easier trick elements and a pump track.
The council resolved at its November meeting last year to adopt Landrigan Park as the location for the new Wauchope skate park. A pre-construction budget of $20,000 was included in the 2013/14 Operational Plan while $122,507 for construction of the facility has been included in the draft 2014/15 One Year Operational Plan.
However, it is expected that the project will cost between $250,000 and $300,000, meaning it will be necessary for the council and the community to secure additional funding through grant opportunities or fundraising activities.
SkateWauchope has indicated it will pursue grant opportunities for the development of new facilities. It will also consider work-in-kind and other types of sponsorship.
The concept plan is available for viewing at pmhclistening.com.au/wauchope-skate-park. People can comment online, by emailing council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au or by writing to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, P.O. Box 84, Port Macquarie, NSW, 2444.
The council will undertake further engagement with SkateWauchope after the exhibition period ends and – if necessary – will modify the concept plan before it goes back to the June council meeting.
