A half-pipe dream for Yarragon’s youth community will be realised following a $221,250 commitment from Latrobe Valley Authority toward the development of a skate park in the township.
A beginner to intermediate street/plaza style park will be built on 405 square metres at Yarragon’s Howard Park between Burnett and Campbell Streets, with the balance of the $295,000 project funded by Baw Baw Shire Council.
It follows extensive consultation with the Yarragon Skate Park Committee (YSPC), which identified 87 per cent of primary school aged students owned a scooter or skateboard, but lacked a purpose-built facility to enjoy this form of recreation.
YSPC member Janet Pakan said the addition of a skate park would come as a massive boost to the town’s youth.
“Teenagers and children are experiencing difficulty accessing skate facilities in other townships like Trafalgar or Warragul because of their lack of capacity to travel between townships,” Ms Pakan said.
“Building a new skate park here will promote physical activity for the younger members of our community and offer an attractive alternative for those who may not be engaged in structured sport.”
The project is informed by the Baw Baw Skate and BMX Strategy 2012-2030.
This strategy was developed through broad community consultation, tailored forums at Yarragon and the presentation of a 500 signature petition to council all indicating strong general community support for the skate park.
The project is expected to be completed later this year.