General News
3 May, 2022
Skatepark gets an upgrade
YOUNGSTERS will soon have an upgraded place to skate, scoot and BMX in Cobden.
YOUNGSTERS will soon have an upgraded place to skate, scoot and BMX in Cobden.
The Cobden Skate Park will be closed for about four weeks for improvement works.
The $60,000 extension will feature additional advanced elements including a spine ramp with quarter pipes of various heights, a ledge/grind box and rail, and a 6m x 3m shelter with seating.
About two years ago local scooter champion Corey “Bailey” Smith approached South Central Ward councillor Jo Beard with a vision to make the 18 year-old park more appealing.
Cr Beard said Mr Smith saw the potential to have a better facility in Cobden so skaters and scooter riders didn’t have to travel to other towns to enjoy their sport.
“I was blown away that a young person had used their initiative to get in contact directly wanting to make a difference,” she said.
“With the support of Progressing Cobden we met with him and listened to what his vision was."
“We also involved some local people behind the previous fundraising for the original skate park, Dallas and Heather Petrie."
“We were able to pull together some sketches, went through a budget process and my fellow councillors supported it.”
Cr Beard said council had tried to take on board everything Mr Smith was hoping for and give it the upgrade it deserved.
“The biggest thing about it was it was community-led by a young person seeing how things could be better,” she said.
“Because of COVID it’s taken longer than we had hoped to get to this point but it’s an exciting project to be part of.”
Local contractor Greencon will complete the works which will take around four weeks.