THRILL seekers heading to the Jindabyne can now add another experience to their to-do list, with Jindabyne’s new skate park officially open to the public. The $1.5 million Jindabyne Skate Park refurbishment, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery program, has seen the town’s 18-year-old facility upgraded to reflect the needs of the local community. “We’re thrilled to unveil this fantastic new space, designed in collaboration with the Jindabyne Skate Park Project Engagement Group and the wider community," Snowy Monaro Regional Council Mayor, Chris Hanna, said. “The park boasts an exciting range of features, including a brand-new half-pipe, mini-ramp, and a refurbished bowl, catering to skaters, BMX riders, scooter enthusiasts, and everyone in between." The design of the new skate park was subject to consultation with local youth and caters for skaters, bike and scooter riders of all skill levels, and includes a new half-pipe, mini-ramp and a refurbished bowl. Year 10 Jindabyne High School student Dekoda Smith who hopes to become a professional athlete praised the new facility. "This will will give myself and other locals much better opportunities to progress as athletes," Smith said. Seating and shade structures have been installed to provide a friendly gathering space for families and the community. The project, delivered by Snowy Monaro Regional Council in close consultation with the Jindabyne Skate Park Project Engagement Group, provides a contemporary recreational space for the greater Snowy Monaro region, which aims to boost community well-being and enhance local tourism. Prominent member of the Jindabyne Skate Park Project Engagement Group Brent Smith who has been involved since the start, said it is surreal to see a 10-year vision come to life. "I approached the council 10 years ago and we secured the first lot of original funding which was $5000 to get a proposal," Mr Smith said. "Since then we have been liaising with council on designing the plan, which did go through some changes based on community feedback. "So between myself and a whole collective of people we came up with the plan and put it to paper. "We've been tirelessly working for the youth in the community as well as adults with a vision that it would be inclusive of all ages and abilities." Member for Monaro, Steve Whan said the Jindabyne Skate Park upgrade will be a huge boon for the town "I know this is still an incredibly popular spot for students from local schools to spend their afternoons after class, a fact I learned when I attended the opening of the original skatepark here 18 years ago," Mr Whan said. “With the combined effort of the Skate Park Project Engagement Group, state, and federal governments via the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery program, this upgrade will encourage further healthy activity for locals and visitors alike, and showcase what the Snowy Region is all about." "We know that facilities like this do help in aiding a reduction in regional rural crime." "The evidence that we get from rural NSW is that when young people have things to occupy them, that they then don't go and steel cars." "It's important to have things open throughout the day, but also through some of the other hours in the day as well, and in parts of northern NSW that's been the key thing, the recreational assets close down at 5pm and people have nothing to do." Those present at the skate park's official opening last week said the facility boasts one of the nation's most picturesque settings and will be well loved by the community.
