IT’S been a long time coming, but as the City of Greater Bendigo trumpeted this week, good things come to those who skate.
After six years, Eaglehawk’s $405,000 McKern Skatepark will be officially opened this mohth.
The largest of its kind in central Victoria, the new park features state-of-the-art surfaces and equipment including split level quarter pipes, flat banks, a hubba ledge, spine, euro gap and grind rails.
The skate park was the vision of former Rotary Club of Eaglehawk president Alf Thorpe in 2001.
The club then canvassed young members of the community along with secondary students about their needs and the style of park they wanted.
The young people wanted the park in a high visibility area that complemented a hub of activities.
After a collection of names on a petition from local schools and retail outlets, general meetings were held to give young people the chance to design their own park.
Skate park design company Convic Design consulted with the user group to develop the world class standard final design and Michael Haley Precision Parks and Concreting was awarded the construction contract.
Sixty truck loads of cement weighing 450 tonne and 50 tonne of steel along with 2500 hours of labour have gone into constructing the new skate park.
Construction started in the second half of 2007 while landscaping works and the construction of a refuge shelter is now under way.
According to Eaglehawk Rotarian Howard Osbourne, the opening of the new skate park is the culmination of six years of behind the scenes work.
“Support for this project has been immense,” he said.
“Local school children held sausage sizzles, a fete, raffles and door knocks.
“Other young people had music nights; there were some quite ingenious fund raising efforts by the young.
“The Rotary Club placed cash tins around various businesses and held a number of fund raising activities.
“The community recognised the need for this facility and responded by raising more than $128,000 toward the project.”
He said the funds raised by the community together with funding from the City of Greater Bendigo, federal and state governments and a $50,000 donation from the McKern family enabled the project to proceed.
The opening of the skatepark will be celebrated with a spectacular display from world class pro riders.
Skateboard shop Freestyle Xtreme has organised skateboarders from Armourdillo skate company and BMX shop Connections has also arranged a display.
The day will also include a free sausage sizzle, competitions, giveaways and the official opening ceremony.
The skate park will be opened at 11am on February 23.