Manjimup skatepark well beyond expectations

The new skatepark at Manjimup’s soon-to-be completed recreation plaza will be in use by the end of the month.

BMX rider and project team member Jeremy Purdy said he had been involved in the progress of the town’s skatepark infrastructure since high school and the final product was worth the wait.

“Twenty years ago I could never have envisaged this,” he said.

“This here is beyond my wildest expectations.

“I want to say thanks to the Manji shire, we’ve been working on this for a long time. It’s going to be alive with the hustle and bustle of kids on scooters and BMX.”

Manjimup shire community and recreation manager Evy Apeldoorn said the plaza’s full facilities, including the skatepark, barbecue area, gym, playground and basketball courts, would be complete and open for use in late April.

The placement of the skatepark among community facilities would help youth to be included and active in the community, according to project team member and BMX rider Mikey Cernotta.

“It’s a community atmosphere rather than a division between those people and the ‘riff raff’ over there,” he said.

Mr Cernotta said the park was designed to cater for all skill levels and skaters would take pride in the space and get the opportunity to develop both skate and life skills.

“The kids will take a sense of ownership and that’s important, they feel like it’s theirs, they’re proud of it,” he said.

“You create leaders in your community in places like this because they have that opportunity to show that.”

With concrete for the park’s bowl poured last week, the space is set to be opened before March 1.

Funding for the plaza was provided by Lotterywest and Royalties for Regions.