The ambitious plan to build a competition standard skate park at Narrabri West has been given a major boost.
On Friday, Member for Barwon, Mr Kevin Humphries, presented the park proponents, Narrabri West Development Committee, with a cheque for $25,000 towards the project.
The funds come from the NSW Community Building Partnership program.
The West Development Committee applied for a grant in July.
“We have the plans drawn up and council approvals are all in place”said Development Committee chair Mr David Scilley.
“We are ready to go ahead as soon as possible.”
The skatepark will be built on the small park near the Narrabri West reservoir, location with the Narrabri Lake as a backdrop.
The skate park will be a big one, and will cost an estimated $460,000.
“Much of the work will be done by our members and volunteers who are donating their time and expertise and equipment”said David.
The local community input will be considerable and defray a large part of the cost.
However, the Development Group has been raising funds and will be aiming to raise more towards the project.
The new skate park will be a community sporting facility but will have the capability of hosting large regional, and bigger, competitive events.
The NSW Community Building Partnership program, which provided the funds, aims to provide improved community infrastructure and encourage local community based activities.
The program offers grants across the State at an individual State electorate level for community infrastructure projects.
Grant funding of up to $300,000 is available for every NSW State electorate. Last year Narrabri Rotary Club was successful in obtaining a grant of $30,316 for the fitness circuit to be built at the Narrabri Lake. Galloping Gully polocrosse club received $15,654 for upgrades to its grounds. A grant of $32,475 went to Wee Waa and District HACC Association for Wee Waa Men’s Shed Renovations.
An additional $100,000 is available for electorates with higher levels of social disadvantage as indicated by higher comparative unemployment rates.