KORUMBURRA’S keenly awaited skate park in the town’s railway precinct has reached the design phase, community members encouraged to have their say on what they would like to see included, with the engagement period closing on Sunday, July 27.
A mixture of those who intend to use the skate park and other locals came to the Korumburra Community Hub recently, chatting to South Gippsland Shire council representatives and experienced skate park designer Wade Trevean.
Those wanting to share their ideas are encouraged to visit council’s Your Say South Gippsland website to complete the relevant survey.
Wade will consider everyone’s views, then design the space, mindful of the need to cater to a variety of users with different abilities, whether they be skateboarders, BMX or scooter riders.
As well as being keen to include elements that suit different users, he is mindful of capturing the essence of Korumburra.
“I try to have some local connection,” Wade said of his designs, an example being an element of the Tatura skate park replicating one of the town’s award-winning vanilla slices.
As well as encouraging people to contribute their ideas on what elements they’d like to see in the Korumburra skate park, he’d love to hear suggestions on how to create a local feel.
Those attending the recent feedback session included a local grandmother who wanted to know that the design will not be too elementary, enabling her scooter-riding grandkids to progress.
Wade stressed that while beginners will be catered for, the design will also provide scope for those with more experience, saying suggestions that it will be a beginner park only are incorrect, as that would eliminate many potential users.
“Basic doesn’t mean that advanced people can’t use it; some elements will cater for beginners, because they might be smaller ramps, but somebody that is more progressed can just do a more difficult trick on that,” he said, explaining that by “basic” he means “not too intimidating”.
Council states that the skate park, to be located near Korumburra’s new barbecue shelter and toilet block, is intended to cater for beginners and intermediate users.
It is noted that the skate park site is adjacent to a heritage precinct, meaning its size can’t be expanded.
“In addition, there are restrictions on the types of structures, heights, materials and colours that can be applied, to preserve the character of the surrounding area,” council says.
Running his own business designing skate parks around Australia and also doing overseas skate park design on a voluntary basis, Wade’s vast experience stands him in good stead when determining how to create a facility suited to users while meeting budget, heritage and space requirements.
He stressed that the more ideas people provide, the easier it makes his job as a designer, ensuring he creates something that suits local users.
As well as those skating or riding, passive users will also be factored in through ideas such as incorporating nearby seating.
“Due to the fact it’s in the centre of town, it’ll be a spectacle,” Wade said, saying people can enjoy seeing the facility being used.
The skate park will act as a social hub, Wade fondly recalling the joy of “talking rubbish” at such facilities in his youth.
“While every effort will be made to accommodate as many user preferences as possible, the final design will need to balance functionality with heritage requirements and budget constraints,” council explains.
Funding for the project has been approved, with Drover Projects contracted for the construction of the skate park, the contract being for the lump sum of $298,880 excluding GST, with that figure including design development by Wade’s company EastbyWest.
Visit yoursay.southgippsland.vic.gov.au to contribute your ideas on the skate park design.
