Queanbeyan’s youth may receive a revamped skate park if some decisions regarding grant funding go the right way.
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The Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council has applied for a series of grants which it hopes can be used to make the skate park and surrounding area more appealing.
Staff at the Axis Youth Centre have consulted young people in the community for the past two years, team leader Luke Wallace said.
Their main concerns were that areas of graffiti became unsafe to skate on and it was unsightly, Mr Wallace said.
The current proposal, which was developed by the youth in consultation, would incorporate a mural into the skate bowl to deter vandals.
The council’s new community and education coordinator, former Raiders star Terry Campese, said the council had several more plans in the works for the area.
These include a basketball court, more trees and seating areas and potentially a shipping container that could be hired out for barbecues and community events.
Mr Campese said all these projects were reliant on the council being successful with grant applications.
“It’s endless what we can do if we have the funding but right now it’s a waiting game,” he said.
The initial funding would be $47,000 from the Create NSW Arts and Culture grants and successful applicants are expected to be notified later this month.
Mr Wallace said developing the area with such close consultation with Queanbeyan’s young people would provide them a sense of ownership over the area and hopefully ensure it is properly cared for.
He said it would be aimed at multiple generations not just teenagers that skate. Attractions for younger children would be incorporated and community groups with members of all ages would be encouraged to utilise the space.
Should the council be successful with the grant it will again engage the youth to develop concept designs and allow them to participate in choosing a design before it is applied to the area.
However Mr Wallace said the project, like any council project, would have to be approved by a council vote and there were several steps yet to be completed before any work could commence.