WOLLONGONG City Council will host workshops at Thirroul during April to prepare a vision for a new skate park.

Council has four skate park projects on the agenda, including the much anticipated facility at Thirroul. Each park has different needs and purposes, but all will be welcomed by the city’s enthusiastic and energetic skating community.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said it is an exciting time for the city’s skateboarders as well as those who use skate facilities for roller skating, roller blading and scooting.

“We’ve already got five facilities between Helensburgh and Dapto, and over the next few years there will be new spaces come online in Thirroul, Wollongong and Port Kembla,” Cr Bradbery said.

“Plus, we’re still working towards delivering a novel mobile suburb-based option.

“Council is making a significant investment in these facilities, which is in line with our Sportsground and Recreational Facilities Strategy 2022-2027 that acknowledged the strong growth and interest in skating activities.’’

As part of the planning processes for the skateparks, Council is welcoming broad-ranging community feedback on the topic. Through Council’s website, people can share their thought on how and when they use skate parks, what might be include at the new facilities, thoughts on how they might be made more accessible and whether people are interested in being part of ongoing conversations about new facilities.

Council will then look at this feedback and incorporate it into the planning for proposed skate parks for Thirroul and Wollongong.

Council has also engaged internationally-renown skate park design firm, Convic, to review potential locations and to host workshops in Thirroul and Wollongong in April to prepare a vision for each skate park.

Council’s Director Community Services, Kerry Hunt said the parks built over the next few years aim to be contemporary in design and function, offer diverse boarding opportunities, and meet community’s needs and expectations.

“We know we’ve a passionate skating community and we’ll leverage existing contacts and networks we have with these groups to ensure we’re hearing their feedback. However, we want our whole community to feel ownership of these spaces and our focus is that they’re inclusive. That’s why we want to hear from women and girls and gender diverse people.

“We also want to make sure we’re considering accessibility as they’re planned and that we’re able to capitalise on this opportunity to ensure we’re also improving the public spaces at the same time.

“This early phase of consultation allows us to understand community expectations and desires as we move forward into the planning stages. These are not overnight projects. They take time to deliver and will be a great asset once they’re finished.’’

Sign up for updates on skatepark engagement opportunities

Ms Hunt said Council has been hearing for some time that the skate community wanted more facilities in the city, and with skateboarding making a return to the Paris Olympics later this year, it was good timing to consider what’s next for Wollongong’s facilities.

“We’ve got a range of skateparks in this city and they all have different purposes and needs,’’ she said.

“What we’ll be talking about over the next few months will be help to fill some gaps and ensure our parks are contemporary. The grassroots facility at Port Kembla, will be a different proposition to Wollongong where we’re looking to build a park that’s worthy of a city centre.

“We want to make sure all these parks work together and complement one another so that our community can enjoy a range of spaces and places that cater to everyone’s individual needs.’’

Cr Bradbery said he knew people will be keen to hear more about new park locations, designs and construction schedules and encouraged them to register their interest though Council’s website to be kept updated.

“This is an ambitious body of work and we know people are going to be involved every step of the way and that’s great – community involvement is key to what we do,’’ he said.

“The best thing people who are interested in the projects can do is to register their interest on Council’s website. Alternatively, they can follow Council’s social media channels for project updates. That way, they’ll be the first to hear when there are opportunities to be involved.’’

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