Skate park countdown for Ararat
Ararat is only weeks away from becoming a western Victorian events magnet for skating adventure-sports enthusiasts.
Work on a $430,000 redevelopment of Bill Waterston Skate Park is almost complete, representing the realisation of five years of planning, lobbying and work.
Many Ararat district youth, set to be the envy of the state’s regional skating and BMX fraternity, as well as project organisers are counting down to the opening of the expanded project.
The project started five years ago when a dedicated group of Ararat residents formed Ararat Skate Park Committee.
The group formed with a view to upgrading the skate park, east of Alexandra Gardens, despite it lacking shade, toilets, drinking facilities and being generally untidy.
Committee spokesman and Ararat police Sergeant Shane Allgood said the park had been built about 20 years previously and needed upgrading and extending.
He said it had appealed to skateboarders and scooter and BMX riders of various ages.
“These activities are affordable, popular and demanding. This facility is as popular today as it was when it was originally built. It has provided years of entertainment to generations of kids and this upgrade will ensure it continues to do so,” he said.
“People will travel to Ararat to use this facility.
“Skate parks give kids an outlet to socialise, keep fit and express themselves. Kids need creative outlets to keep them entertained and out of trouble.”
Sgt Allgood said the group raised about $160,000 through raffles, cake stalls and donations and gained significant momentum through sponsorship.
Work finally started in May this year after Ararat Rural City Council agreed to meet remaining costs needed for the project. The expectations are for works to be complete this month.
Community support
Sgt Allgood said the project would have been impossible without community help and, in particular, organisations such as Ararat Community Enterprise through to Bendigo Bank, service clubs and governments.
“Huge donations and funding were received from Ararat Community Enterprises, $20,000; Ararat Rural City Council, $20,000; the Federal Government through Member for Wannon Dan Tehan, $15,700; Ararat Rotary, $5000; Ararat YMCA, $5000; the Pitch Festival, $5000; and Ararat Lions Club, $2000,” he said.
Sgt Allgood said at the completion of the build the new section of Ararat Skate Park would be to Olympic standard and the older section would gain a new lease of life.
“People travel for miles to use these things and this is state-of-the-art for western Victorian standards,” he said.
“We were keen to push boundaries and make it as good as possible and this is what we have.
“We have no doubt this is going to be a significant drawcard for tourism as well as a fantastic facility for the youth of Ararat district.”
Sgt Allgood said the park’s specialised design was chosen to be challenging but to also cater for the absolute elite of adventure sports.
“The old section caters for beginners and the new section allows for a transition through to advanced levels,” he said.
He said future plans for the site included the addition of an outdoor basketball court, playground equipment, toilets and landscaping.