There were blue skies and smiles for the official opening of the new Cowes Skate Park last week. More than 60 youngster and their parents took the opportunity to enjoy the new park. With free face-painting, food and entertainment, there was a party atmosphere as the kids showed off their skating, scooter and BMX manoeuvres.
Kicking off the official proceedings, Cr Stephan Fullarton said he was thrilled to be involved. “As I look at the kids present today, it was probably some of their grandparents who started the push for a decent skate park in Cowes,” he quipped. “This is the third skate park opened in recent weeks and this is the biggest of the launches, which reflects how important it is to the Island.”
He said there’d been an enormous level of support for the upgrade. “It’s important to provide an action facility for our local kids and visitors.” Cr Fullarton said investigations were still in progress to find a new site for a regional skate park after the initial site at San Remo was deemed unsuitable. “That will be an excellent development,” he said.
Fellow councillors Pam Rothfield, Michael Whelan and Bruce Kent were also in attendance, along with Bass Coast shire executives, including CEO Ali Wastie, General Manager Jodi Kennedy, Peter Francis and Greg Polson. The park upgrades were identified in the Bass Coast Shire Skate Strategy. “The $500,000 new Park was completed as part of Council’s renewal program, with the design developed in consultation with the local skate community who provided significant input into its final layout,” Bass Coast Mayor Cr Tessari said.
“The result is a street style Skate Park that caters for all ages and abilities.” After the official speeches, the kids took to the park and made the most of the entertainment and food, as well as the skating showbags provided by the YMCA. Tony and Maria Liatos brought their kids down to enjoy the opening celebrations and said the new skate park was a great facility for the local community.
“We used to have to drive to Melbourne to take the kids to a quality skate park,” Tony said. “It’s nice for the kids to have somewhere to hang out,” Maria agreed. Brad Harper from Switch Skate in Cape Woolamai had a stall set up and was enthusiastic about the state of Island skating. He described skating as an activity for the whole family: “I sell almost as many skateboards to parents as kids.
“The skating community on Phillip Island is huge,” Brad said. “This is a board riding community and most people surf. When there’s no surf, everyone skates. There’s such a positive vibe here today and I’m rapt to be part of it.”
