Pumped for Skipton skate park launch

Published on 15 March 2021

Skipton residents are invited to help celebrate the launch of the new skate park at Jubilee Park.

The event will be held Saturday 27 March, from 1 pm to 5 pm and includes live music by Potent24, Snakes Don’t Need Keys, and Brody and the Oxy Clinic – as well as free skateboarding sessions and a stencil art workshop.

Skipton Lions Club will run a barbecue and The Dumpling Man will serve up homemade goods.

Corangamite Shire Youth Mayor Tess Lourey said the Youth Crew and Skatepark 4 Skipton committee were pumped to officially launch the skate park.

“Corangamite Youth Crew are pumped to bring live music back to the Shire, giving opportunities to emerging artists after the tricky year that was 2020,” Ms Lourey said.

“We’re so excited to see Skipton embrace its young people by providing this awesome skate park in response to the needs of its community.”

The skate park was completed at the end of February after the Skipton community petitioned for one in 2019.

As a result, 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.

The multi-discipline street and transition style facility has a mini-ramp, a 1.2 metre high quarter pip, bank, ledge, flat rail, down ledge, and quarter to kerb.

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

A new shelter and landscaping around the park is in the planning stages.

North Ward Councillor Nick Cole congratulated the Skatepark 4 Skipton committee for getting the project up and running.

“The committee members deserve a pat on the back for their months of hard work, as do the businesses and individuals who have contributed,” Cr Cole said.

“Locals and visitors have been quick to use the new park - it’s a great addition to the area.”

The launch is a COVIDSafe event supported by FReeZa, a Victorian Government initiative aimed at getting young Victorians involved in their communities by planning and running drug, alcohol and smoke-free events.