Skipton skate park construction starts

Published on 12 February 2021

Work on the skate park at Jubilee Park in Skipton is under way.

The skate park will provide a multi-discipline street and transition style facility featuring a mini-ramp, a 1.2m high quarter pipe, bank, ledge, flat rail, down ledge, and quarter to kerb.

It will tie into the existing infrastructure including the playground, tennis courts, barbecue shelter, seating and walking paths.

The finished product will be about the same length as the Skipton Swimming Pool.

Skipton Lions member Doug Smith is on the Skatepark 4 Skipton committee. 

He said the Lions were approached about the possibility of a skate park and set up the committee with members from outside the club.

“They’re in the 35-45 age range. These are people who have got kids from 10-20. They also have the computer skills to get funding applications in.”

The committee circulated a petition to gauge the level of community interest and almost 300 people signed.

“We put the petition into the supermarket and roadhouse and wherever. The kids all signed  it and the parents were all very much in agreement.”

As a result of the petition, Council allocated $20,000 in its 2020-2021 Budget for design, and sourced $120,000 through the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. The community raised another $50,000.

“[Stockyard Hill Wind Farm developer] Goldwind were a very good contributor and our local Skipton Community Shop. Those two put in quite a bit of money and that really got the ball rolling. All the local businesses have contributed accordingly.”

A plaque will be installed at the park to recognise all of the businesses and individuals that made financial contributions.

Mr Smith said many of the town’s skaters had been using the highway and the new park would give them a safer place to skate.

“They’re all very keen to see it up and running. There are even a few vibes that there will be tours. Some of the people with licenses will do the circuit of Scarsdale, Snake Valley and now Skipton. A few of them are talking about that circuit. That’ll get the young ones from Ballarat.”

Mr Smith said the skate park could also provide a rest break for families passing on the highway. 

“We’ve got a brilliant site. It’s a spectacular little site overlooking the lake here. We do hope it will stop a lot of the passing travellers with kids on board. These could even be interstate people. I do believe we have the potential here right on the highway to stop that traffic.”

Mr Smith said community support for the project had been very good.

Skatepark 4 Skipton and designer/builder CONVIC Pty Ltd have done extensive consultation to make sure the project gives the community what they want.

The design will cater for all skill levels, with obstacles mainly for beginner to intermediate skaters, BMX and scooter riders.

North Ward Councillor Nick Cole congratulated the committee and the community on their great work to get the project up and running. 

“It’s good to see a community identify something that it needs and then take steps to create a solution. It will also give the younger members of the community another interest and outdoor activity which can only be a good thing.

“The committee members deserve a pat on the back for their months of hard work, as do the businesses and individuals who have contributed. The members of the public who have given their input can be proud they have helped develop what will be a great asset to the town.

“Previous councillor Lesley Brown also deserves a mention for her strong advocacy for the people of North Ward and this project.”

Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan said he was delighted that the skate park in Skipton had been included as a project under the Morrison Governments Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.

“I congratulate not only Corangamite Shire Council in creating this new facility but also all the wonderful volunteers and committee members who have worked so hard to make this project a reality and I look forward to the development of the skate park.”

The aim is to give the young people of Skipton more opportunities to stay active and healthy.

The site will be fenced off for the duration of the works. This  may disrupt walking paths, however access to the playground, tennis courts, barbecue and other facilities will not be affected.”

CONVIC is an award-winning Australian company that has designed and built more than 700 projects around the world with a focus on skate parks and youth spaces.

Local sub-contractors and suppliers will be engaged where possible.