Shed of cool- Casey skateboarders who put forward their ideas to the council about how they wa

By Bridget Brady
CRANBOURNE’S iconic skate boarding venue, The Shed, should be redeveloped to “blow people’s minds”, Casey skaters say.
During two community consultation sessions the City of Casey held on Friday, about 50 skateboarders and BMX riders contributed their ideas about how they want The Shed to look when it is redeveloped next year.
City of Casey council has identified $1.1 million will be used to upgrade The Shed, but this amount will be finalised in June.
Skateboarders say they have been left in the dark since The Shed, Victoria’s only indoor skateboard and BMX facility, shut in December 2007 after operating for 14 years.
Berwick BMX rider Luke Barling, 23, said The Shed should be revamped into a world class skate park.
“I’d love to see it done properly,” Mr Barling said.
“There is really nothing good around here. The Shed was too spread out and the space was not used as well as it could have been.”
Dylan Pell, 16, said whoever managed The Shed, a decision that is yet to be determined, needed to include mixed sessions for all boarders, BMX riders and skaters.
“And it should be opened after school and work hours. A Sunday night session from about 4pm to 9pm would be really good,” Dylan said.
Cranbourne mother Jennifer Ramus said the consultation sessions were a step in the right direction.
Ms Ramus said she wanted The Shed to be a facility for young people to gather in a safe environment.
“Locally there is nothing for teenagers. The cinemas have been taken away and no-one understands why there is graffiti or other problems. You leave them (youth) nothing else to do.”
Ms Ramus said regional competitions should be held at The Shed to attract visitors to Cranbourne. “We have the space here, so we need to make the most of it.”
Revolution Action Sports Concepts will design the facility when it and the council have collaborated the information from last week’s consultation sessions.
Shane Serena from Revolution Action Sports Concepts said he would start with a clean slate and encouraged boarders and riders to have their say.
“At the end of the day we want to build something that everyone will use. Nothing will be ruled out,” Mr Serena said.
“We have given the public a lot of input so everyone gets what they want. We’re just making sure we get it right the first time.”
Casey’s acting manager of city living Andrew Butterfield said it was likely that more consultation sessions would be held in the future.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said a satisfying balance had been met between the skate boarding community and the arts community using The Factory, which is attached to The Shed.
“The Factory will get the front room and the extra workshop space down the far end. It’s good for the arts community and the skate community is happy too,” Cr Smith said.
Ms Ramus said it was pleasing that the council consulted the community about the design of The Shed.
“It’s taken a long time to get here. Hopefully it will be worth it.”