SKATE PARK/PUMP TRACK MEETING MONDAY 26th AUGUST
The meeting was well attended (estimated over 60 people) and included Robyn Clarke (Murray-Wellington MLA), David Bolt (Shire of Murray President) and Charlie Clarke (Waroona Shire Councillor).
SUMMARY OF THE MEETING
This meeting is the first baby step in turning Facebook comments into concrete action to get a facility built.
It will not be a quick process. The Community Centre took about 4 ½ years from the start of campaigning until completion. The Centre was only achieved in this time frame due to Robyn Clarke’s support and funding. It will probably take at least 2 years to complete a park/track and potentially longer.
Background
Recently there were requests on the Ravenswood Residential Community Facebook page for a skate park and or pump track in Ravenswood.
At the Shire Meeting on Thursday 25th July a petition for a skate park/pump track for Austin Cove was presented to council.
The important point to note is that of 780 signatures, only 246 were from Shire of Murray residents.
Anecdotally the Shire would like the Austin Cove developer to do the installation but it seems that a skate park/pump track is not a current priority for Austin Cove.
From contact with the Shire CEO and the Shire Manager Planning, any Austin Cove development would not exclude a development in Ravenswood.
The potential exists for Ravenswood to have a Skate Park/Pump Track irrespective of what happens at Austin Cove.
Going Forward
What is needed to convince the Shire to adopt a Skate Park/Pump Track as a priority project for Ravenswood is:
- Demonstrate active involvement from Ravenswood residents.
- Demonstrate that there is over whelming demand and support from Ravenswood residents.
- Propose a suitable location. There are 2 potential locations in proximity to the community centre.
- Decide what is more important? A pump track or a skate park or a combined facility.
Completion of the survey is the next step in trying to convince the Shire that the project has community support.
Cost for a skate park and/or pump track will be dependent on size and complexity. Skate parks are potentially more expensive given they are concrete while pump tracks are formed earthworks with a bitumen or Polypave surface.
Funding will need to come primarily from grants and community contributions. (Robyn Clarke advised that there are numerous sources of funding available.)
Pump Track costs could range from $200K to $2M just for the track not including land clearing, site preparation, and installation of services.
No Skate Park costings were available.
Threechillies Design have provided examples of pump tracks and potential construction costs just for the tracks.
There are two areas of public open space/reserve that could be potential sites. Whether they would be available is dependent on the reserve classification and state and local governments.
One is within Ravenswood Waters on the northern end of the future school site.
The second is within Ravenswood Green west of Rutherford Vista.
The Ravenswood Green site is Reserve R52792 (Lot 975) with an area of 13,963sqm. This is the preferred site with plenty of land for other recreational infrastructure.
The area of land required is of course dependent on the size and complexity of any development.
If this reserve was deemed to be an acceptable site, the Shire would most likely decide to develop an overall plan for the reserve before committing to a track. There would also need to be community consultation with adjacent residents.
Examples of the size of other parks are:
McClennon Park Pump Track Madora Bay approx. 650sqm
Duverney Park Coodanup approx.1,500 sqm
Dwellingup Skate Park & Pump Track – approx. 4,100sqm
It is evident that 13,963sqm is more than enough land area.
Shire of Murray Involvement
The Shire of Murray will make the final decisions on:
- Location.
- Type and complexity of the skate park and or pump track.
- Associated services and infrastructure.
The Shire of Murray will control all the financial aspects, tendering, project management, design and construction and will manage and maintain the completed facility. The Shire will have to plan and budget for the allocation of Shire resources for the project and the resources required will not be insignificant.
RESULTS FROM THE MEETING
Robyn Clarke and David Bolt are supportive of a facility for Ravenswood.
Charlie Clarke was part of a working group that achieved completion of an extensive $7.5M facility in Waroona covering 11,500sqm. He has offered to provide advice to a Ravenswood Working Group.
11 people have volunteered to participate in or assist a Ravenswood Working Group. Some of these volunteers have previously participated in design & construction of pump tracks. The group also includes active trails and pump track riders.
The general feeling of the group seemed to be that a pump track that suited all ages and levels of competence was preferred. The final recommendation will be up to the working group.
The function of the working group will be to develop a concept of what they decide Ravenswood needs, convince the Shire to adopt it as a project, and then work with the Shire to complete the development while having input into the decision making by the Shire.
SURVEY RESULTS FROM THE MEETING
The Survey Forms were on the basis of one survey per household (additional forms from the same household were not counted). The results of the survey forms completed at the meeting were:
- 26 completed surveys
- 25 from Ravenswood, 1 from South Yunderup
- All currently use a facility
- All Supported a Ravenswood facility
- 23 preferred a combined facility, 3 preferred a pump track.
- All would use a Ravenswood facility
Residents indicated they are using facilities at a variety of locations - Fremantle, Albany, Safety Bay, Baldivis, Mandurah, Falcon, Dudley Park, Pinjarra, Waroona, Lane Pool, Dwellingup and Ravenswood Bush.
