Park of joy

By Melissa Grant
SKATERS and BMX riders will be able to olly and mono at a new skate park from mid January.
Construction of a new $220,000 skate park – more than twice the size of the existing facility – has begun at PB Ronald Reserve.
It will feature a quarter pipe with extension and roll in, a 1.5-metre high quarter pipe and a 1.2-metre high jump box and spine. The new facility isn’t far from the existing Skate Park which abuts the Living and Learning (LLINC) Centre.
Cardinia Shire councillor Brett Owen said the council had consulted young people in regard to the design.
He said the existing skate park would remain open until the new park was fully complete in mid January.
A sign showing the final design and advising skaters to keep clear during construction will be erected at the site.
“We really encourage the young people to be patient during construction and stay well clear of the work site,” Cr Owen said.
PB Ronald Reserve is fast becoming a recreational Mecca, with two playgrounds, cricket nets and goal posts already in place.
The Pakenham Pool and CFA running track are also nearby.
Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Pearson said the new skate park illustrated the council’s commitment to young people in the shire.
“Ideas for what the new skate park would look like were sought from young people and a workshop facilitated by our youth services team was held in May where consultants took on the ideas from 30 young people,” he said. “Then in July, the plans were taken to another workshop with young people where more than 60 young people were involved in the consultation process and gave fantastic input.”
Skaters will be able to show off their skills when the first skate competition is held at the facility during National Youth Week in April.