$20k ‘bugger all’ for skate park upgrade
THE $20,000 upgrades approved for the Stanthorpe skate park have been labelled “bugger all” by the town’s enthusiastic skateboarders.
Approved funding through Round 3 of the 2019-21 Works for Queensland Program will be used on a new shelter, picnic table and improvements such as a grind rail and surface repairs.
But Stanthorpe skater Dylan Bentley-Burns said the proposed upgrades to the park would do nothing for its regular users.
“We understand that $20,000 isn’t a lot in the way of doing more ramps – what we’d be looking for is a bit more funding or organising a fundraiser,” he said.
“When it comes to funding, I’m thinking $20,000 is bugger all.
“I’m thinking we might need $150,000 to $200,000 to get something done.”
Warwick residents had a similar reaction after the announcement of $25,000 in upgrades for its skate park.
Approved projects for the Rose City facility involve run-off edging worth $16,000, while the remaining $9000 is to be devoted to a new picnic bench and shelter.
Skate park users took to social media to share disappointment the work would not be focused on the actual skate bowl.
Warwick mum Danika Haidley said she’d prefer to see a space established for younger riders like her boys Graysen, 6, and Oscar, 2.
“I’d like to see an area sectioned off for the little ones, because I can get a bit worried (Oscar) is going to cause an accident with the bigger kids trying to avoid him,” she said.
Mr Bentley-Burns said the council had an opportunity to be able to give youth a place to call their own.
“(The council should) show us they give a damn about the youth, and that they do have a space to go and feel safe while having fun,” he said.