Community to shape Bright's skatepark design

The Bright Skatepark currently has a steel half pipe and a small street section dating back to the late 1990s and early 2000s. 

Alpine Shire Mayor, John Forsyth, said since then, the skateboarding community and the town have grown, and the current skate park no longer meets the needs of the community. 

"The current skatepark is relatively small compared to skateparks in Mount Beauty and Myrtleford and is only suitable for beginner and intermediate skateboarders and scooters," he said. 

"The Bright skatepark also has limited opportunity to be used by different abilities at the same time and is too small for the current number of users. 

"A new skatepark will be designed to meet the skating communities’ current and future needs, and it will be more inclusive, accessible, and safe." 

After several years of campaigning from the local community, Council applied for a $30,000 grant from Sports and Recreation Victoria to develop a concept design for a new Bright Skatepark, with a further $10,000 contribution from Council. 

Cr Forsyth said Council is working with skatepark design experts, Convic, to design a skatepark unique to the Alpine Shire, but community input was vital. 

"This is a facility for the community and visitors to use and enjoy, so it's important to design it with input from the local skateboarding community;  people of all ages, demographics and abilities," he said. 

 Convic will also investigate if a new skatepark will be best placed at its current location, or at another location within Bright in order make sure the new skatepark suits the growing needs of the community. 

While there is currently no secured funding to build the skatepark, the concept designs will be used to apply for future funding opportunities. 

Community members keen to get involved are invited to a drop-in session at the Bright Skatepark on Thursday, 9 November from 3.30pm until 5pm, or can attend an evening workshop at the Bright Community Centre on Thursday, 9 November from 6pm until 7.30pm.  

Anyone that can't make a session in person can complete the online survey after the in person workshops on Friday, 10 November.  

The survey will close on Monday, 20 November. 

For more information, visit the project page here: https://engage.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/bright-skatepark