SKATEPARKS

Skate parks have proven to be an enduring asset in active recreation in the thrust against the obesity that is affecting our youth. They are continuously used and provide an active outlet for later adolescents and young adults as their free time is lessened through study and work commitments; skating and BMX riding is a continuously growing sport throughout Australia; it is estimated one in every three families has skating or BMX riding (these aspects are shown in the Department of Sport and Recreation Research).

            Throughout Victoria the majority of towns have a skate park because of its intrinsic value to youth. They are a public recreational facility that is available to the entire community and are designed to accommodate all ages, all types of skating and riding, and all levels of ability and are proving to be enduring in their popularity.

THE NEED

If a skate park was not of such universal value these young people would not have persevered for so long given “the journey they have had to travel”. They are not specifically representing their own interests because over the previous three years surveys of students at Sale College showed that 231 males and females together indicated a clear need for development of the Sale skate park.

            Also the results of the Nylex sponsored Jason McCartney survey of approximately 360 year 10 and 11 students from three Sale secondary schools 2003 showed that in response to the question “What could make things better in Sale?” that skate park/BMX was the second ranked response. In the same survey an extreme majority of youth indicated they would leave Sale after their schooling “because there’s nothing here for them”. The youth on the skate park committee are trying to rectify this and to show that “if they have a go they can make a difference” and thus encourage the youth to have belief in this town and stay.

            There has been a need for a developed skate park in Sale for a great many years now as the number of skaters/riders and their skill levels have long ago far outstripped the partial facility. A photograph of the concrete slab and minimal structures is included. A copy of a council statement indicating the ineffectiveness of these structures (this was made for another purpose but it does clarify council’s assessment) absolutely and unambiguously shows that a skate park is needed in sale.

            The Wellington shire has already meritoriously identified the need skate parks throughout its are as a service to youth and is doing something about it by building structures such as the great concrete park at nearby Maffra (180 skaters/riders), enabling the coming construction of a concrete park at Rosedale, and supporting the $75, 000 for a concrete park at Heyfield (the smaller towns would have skaters and BMX riders throughout the shire are applauded.

            However the youth of Sale are no different from anyone else and need a developed park like other towns with very much smaller populations. There are 165 more youth in Sale who skate/ride than all the other towns put together. Using the local ABS statistics and Development of Sport and Recreational formulas, Sale has approximately 600 skaters/rides. Using the local ABS statistics and Development of Sport and Recreational formulas, Sale has approximately 600 skaters/rides. Because there is no adequate facility most now either leave Sale to skate and ride in other towns, go street skating or simply have nothing else to do.

            The committee members appreciate both the limited funding and the goodwill that existed when the present slab and minimal steel structures were commenced some five years ago when the need for a skate park was clearly recognised then by youth, the community and local government. It was publicly stated that the present minimal structure was then intended as a “first step” by local government pending a demonstrated need for further development.

            To show that the general community in Sale identifies the need for a skate park committee still has letters of support from a great range of people that were sent to them last year. These include primary and secondary schools, business, Neighbourhood Watch, Sale Lions Club, the two Rotary Clubs, members of Parliament and the Wellington Safety Committee as a few examples. Copies of these can be made available to you if you would like.

THE EFFORTS OF YOUTH

Due to the history of events, the boys have not had access to, or knowledge of supporting state funding of any sort, except for when they applied for council support for state funding last year; normally after an amount of $5000 is raised locally in conjunction with council support the Department of Sport and Recreation will match this with 50,000 for recreational ventures such as skate parks. This committee had already raised this amount some time ago but were not supported.

            Without bias, these are the facts of life which have confronted the boys and to their credit they have responded with determination and have kept trying; throughout this time they have been with no other assistance except for myself and recently another parent. Compared with normal procedure these young people have to raise ten times the normal amount required to construct a suitable skate park in Sale; this is to be raised within a financial year.

            Through their own efforts and their adult support they have prevailed upon council to provide assistance if they can gain community support and fundraise to raise a balancing amount; the council has responded by making an amount of $20,000 available provided the youth raise $50,000 in cash or kind during the financial year to build a skate park.

            By their initiative and council’s agreement they now have an opportunity which is also a gigantic challenge (one that would daunt adults as being impossible).  However, the boys have both raised themselves and have promissory commitments from service clubs, individuals, large firms and organisation to a current estimated value of $17,000 as at end of November and are aware of another$3,000 in kind that has been previously indicated; in very approximate figures. In total this amounts to $20,000.

            However, it is becoming clear that they can’t do it by themselves. They won’t make it without committed community support. They are putting a case for state and federal assistance to argument local efforts but may well be seen to be outside existing “bureaucratic” guidelines. They are trying their best at whatever they can.

            To succeed now is crucially important because they have been giving a definite understanding that support for skate parks in future years will be to other smaller towns in the shire; this means Sale youth will not be considered even if they make an application for a state government grant. The implications of this means that there would be a wait of four or more years for any possibility of the needed developments in Sale which means that the younger ones on the committee who are sixteen will be twenty before anything happens. By then they will defiantly be gone from Sale having lost all interest. It’s worse for all the older ones. This situation makes the need to succeed critical as it is clear from the boys that this is their final effort.

As well as continuously fundraising they are in the process of approaching both state and federal government for support due to their unique circumstances. I was able to speak with the premier about this on state wide radio on the ABC. Consequently to demonstrate it is a genuine cause (at near enough to seventy) I made a public commitment to cycle 1000 kilometres for the boys to deliver their case to the Victorian ministers for both health and recreation and then to relevant politicians in Canberra.

CURRENT EFFORTS

        The skatepark is currently being developed by Concrete Skateparks Australia. The skate park committee is hoping to raise funds in the future to develope the street section of the skatepark.

IN CONCLUSION

            This is a brief background to the endeavours of these admirable young people. They are not looking for ‘handouts’ but rather are looking for support from their own community and from local and state government in relation  to their own efforts in this project for youth by youth.

It is well known that their peers throughout this city are aware of their efforts in trying to do something for youth in Sale and they naturally will interpret their success or failure as a significant indication of how much the local community, local government and state government value our young people and hence the future generations here.

            To be positive though, even if they fail they have been both excited and encouraged by the support from a number of people and organisations in Sale and wish to thank you in appreciation to them.

            They have especially valued interacting with them as this has been part of their growing up; a good experience. Throughout this challenging time they have learnt many lessons and skills and will be sorry to finish. Their experiences will now be some part of their lives and it is sincerely hoped that they do not blame themselves for not reaching an unrealistically exponential target.

            It’s been my privilege to see them learn to ‘never give up on something that they believe in’ despite what is looming now as an impossible dream and I’m proud to see them persevere with a focus that is as much for other in Sale as for themselves. I’m readily available to answer any queries at any time.

            If it is helpful these are some random examples of the range of support so far which have included a $20 donation from a friend in the street, a $50 voucher from a supermarket, $300 put in by my family, a $500 promise from a vehicle dealership, $2000 held by a service club, $5000 in offering from a transport company, an offer from a generous community member of matching dollar for every dollar raised through fundraising by the boys themselves, and $2000 worth of expert labour.

            The committee members are keen to speak to anyone or any organisation about their efforts and the absolute need for this facility and they are thankful that you have taken the time to give consideration to their efforts.

Thank You.

Bill Redmond

(Adult support) Sale Skate park Committee