Kids pumped for wheelie big skate park launch

Date: Thursday, 22nd October 2009

Tricks such as ollies, kickflips and aciddrops mightn’t mean much to some, but they’ll be coming thick and fast for high flying young skateboarders getting first use of the new Riverway Skatepark this weekend.

Riders on scooters, skates, skateboards and BMX bikes are expected to converge on the new facility with a host of tricks for this weekend’s grand opening youth festival Against The Grind.

Townsville’s latest skate park is a partnership between the Council, Queensland Government Community Renewal Program and the Department of Communities Sport and Recreation Services.

Mayor Cr Les Tyrell and representatives of the State Government will officially open the new facility at 11am tomorrow and kick-off the big weekend of celebrations.

Cr Tyrell said the skate park’s innovative design and prominent location in Riverway next to Ross River Rd would prove highly popular with young people.

“The beauty of this project is that young people who will use it had input into the final design of the facility,” Cr Tyrell said. “The result is a skate park that will attract skating enthusiasts from across Townsville and other areas of the region,” Cr Tyrell said.

The facility cost $713,000 and replaces a previous skate park at Riverway that was breaking up and being hemmed in by development.

Sk8Skapes, who have created skate parks in Australia and China, designed the facility and used ideas from local enthusiasts. Features include a quarter-pipe, steps, fun box, rails, ledges, bubblers, seating and bins – all under shade – and a design that ensures a better flow and speed for skaters and bike riders when they approach trick elements.

The skate park will be off to a flying start with the two-day Against The Grind festival on the weekend presented by Council, Youth with a Mission and Townsville PCYC.

Activities include live music, skate and BMX demonstrations, street art workshops, scooter competitions, and Townsville PCYC’s regional skate/BMX competition final.