A $450,000 skate park proposed at Narrabri West will be a leading regional venue of its kind.
The skate park has now been given the green light by Narrabri Shire Council and its backer, Narrabri West Development Committee, is keen to get the facility up and running.
The skate park, to be built adjacent to the basketball courts at the West reservoir park has been four years in the planning.
It will be a big one, 700 square metres, configured by a specialist skate park designer, fully engineered and capable of hosting professional level competition for regional, state and national titles, with seating and ultimately lights.
However, the skate park’s principal role will be as a recreational facility for Narrabri’s young people.
A final procedural box was ticked at last council meeting when the council endorsed the venture as a community project with council providing guidelines on approvals at key stages.
The shire council is not funding the skate park but the park will be on council land and owned by the council when it is built.
The skate park proponents, Narrabri West Development Committee has successfully initiated and completed several major community projects.
The group has been raising funds for several years, but now with the council endorsement, has the go ahead to lodge funding applications with government departments.
The estimated cost of $450,000 will be supplemented by big inputs of voluntary labour and equipment, Cr John Tough said when he outlined the project at last council meeting.
“We have $30,000 from our own fund raising.
“Santos has offered financial support and will be interested in giving their ongoing sponsorship support in competitions.
“We have spoken to Member for Barwon, Mr Kevin Humphries about government grants through the right departmental channels, and he is supportive.”
The skate park, on the lake foreshores, will be larger and more sophisticated than most country town facilities.
The skate park project is an ambitious one, but the committee is confident in the support of community volunteers and equipment.
The construction can be staggered, with each stage able to be used by skaters.
“The main bowl will be about 30 metres long, 3.5 metres deep and 10 metres across” Cr Tough said.
“ It is way bigger than a normal skate park in most country towns.”
“We have been aiming at an inland (skating) competition with towns like Parkes, Dubbo and Forbes” said Cr Tough.
“Later we can bring major metropolitan centres into the competition.”