Skate Lake Mac

Community consultation has begun on three new skate parks to be built in Lake Macquarie over the next 12 months.

Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Community Planning Andrew Bryant said a total of more than $2 million would be spent on the new facilities flagged for Croudace Bay, Morisset and Windale.

A unified “Skate Lake Mac” community consultation period covering all three sites begins today to seek input on each new skate park’s style and scale.

“With the appropriate consultation, design and build, skate parks have fantastic potential to activate public spaces and generate significant community benefits,” Mr Bryant said.

“They promote active, healthy lifestyles, increase social opportunities for users and provide a place for young people to test their limits and learn from their peers.”

The Croudace Bay skate park will form part of a wider revamp of Thomas H Halton Park and will either replace or build upon an existing skate park on the site.

In Morisset, a skate park will be part of an expanded Bernie Goodwin Memorial Park, adjoining a new all-inclusive playground and outdoor fitness area.

Windale’s new skate park will be built in Bahloo Reserve on South Street to replace the former skate park adjacent to the suburb’s PCYC.

Mr Bryant said the Windale facility would be twice the size of its predecessor.

“We’re hoping to hear from the community about the style of skate park they want at each site,” Mr Bryant said.

“That means a choice of street, park, plaza, pump or combination styles. Morisset and Croudace Bay will also have the option of a transition style skate park.

“However, given the proximity to the ChIP Bowl transition skate park at Charlestown, we’re not looking at that style for Windale.”

Mr Bryant said undertaking combined community consultation for the three sites would ensure the best mix of facilities throughout the city.

“Each site has its own benefits, features and limitations,” Mr Bryant said.

“The common thread across each is our desire to provide the best, most exciting and most inclusive facility possible.”

People can have their say on each of the three skate parks until Friday 14 December at shape.lakemac.com.au/skate-lake-mac.

The move to expand skate park options in Lake Macquarie follows the September opening of Council’s $1 million ChIP Bowl skate park in Charlestown, and completion of a skate bowl and street-style plaza at Pasterfield Sports Complex, Cameron Park, in August.