Waurn Ponds and St Leonards skate parks are set for “a major transformation” later this year following a $1.7 million state government funding boost.
South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman jumped a skateboard – a rare occurrence in the past 20 years, he admitted – to announce the investment.
“Like many, in my teenage years I was known to roll around on a skateboard,” he said.
“[The Waurn Ponds] upgrade is timely considering the population growth in Geelong’s southern corridor, in a convenient location near other recreational amenities.
“This investment will support young people in our community in a popular meeting place for scooter and skateboard riders.”
The St Leonards skate park has remained virtually unchanged since skating magazine Thrasher rated it the worst in Australia in 2011.
“This is the worst park we’ve seen, bar none,” the magazine commented.
“Well, technically there are two bars. But they both suck.”
State government anticipates construction to begin in 2021 for both “shovel-ready” council-planned projects, funded through the Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.
“Part of the funding agreement includes a fairly short timeline for the council to start works, so … we anticipate works starting prior to the end of 2021,” a government spokesperson said.
