Minister officially opens new skate park in Collie

11/11/00
Skate boarders in Collie now have a state-of-the-art facility to develop their skills in a safe and secure environment.
Youth Minister Mike Board today officially opened the Collie Skate Park, one of almost 80 similar parks developed throughout the State with the help of State Government funding and community support.
The Skate Park Grant Scheme, through the Office of Youth Affairs, provides grants of $10,000 to help local councils develop skate park facilities.
"In addition to the Government's support, I would like to acknowledge the strong community backing from the Collie Welfare Council and the Coal Miners Welfare Board," Mr Board said.
"The $90,000 skate park is located within the Collie Recreation Grounds, next to the cycle velodrome in the centre of town.
"The location was chosen by Collie's young people through a petition that was presented to the Shire in November last year."
Mr Board said Shire of Collie Youth Advisory Council members had been involved in the project since the outset.
"Youth Advisory Councils operate through local authorities to provide advice on the requirements of young people and help initiate and drive projects," he said.
"The success of the Collie Skate Park can be directly related to the input the Shire of Collie YAC had in its development, design and location and the willingness of the council to listen to its young advisers and take on the project.
"We have found that it is where young people are involved in the planning of youth projects that they are most successful.
"Skate parks work and are used when they are located in areas easily accessible by and popular with young people - the partnership between local councils and their Youth Advisory Councils in the development of these facilities goes a long way to ensuring a positive outcome that benefits the whole community."
Media contact: Mike Groves - 9222 9211