TAMWORTH Regional Council will break ground on a new youth hub in the coming months, after a state government funding injection was announced on Friday.
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Council will deliver on the remaining $700,000 for the $1.7m project with work expected to begin at the new site on Viaduct Park “within the next three months".
The project was hailed by Mr Anderson and Mayor, Col Murray, as a boost for not only Tamworth young people, but tourism as well.
“Council applied for some funding to build an exciting new skatepark here,” Mr Anderson said.
“It’s a $1.7 million project and will revitalise this section of Peel Street.
“It will create another exciting new space for young people to enjoy.”
Mr Anderson said the project came about after “extensive community consultation” that found the community wanted an up-to-date skatepark to replace the current site on the corner of Peel and Darling Streets.
“They can do tricks and learn and also hold competitions,” Mr Anderson said.
“This will be of a standard where they can invite international skate artists to come.
“They can hold workshops and competitions, so not only will it be a fantastic facility for young people here in Tamworth, it will be a drawcard for people right across the state and nationally.”
Cr Murray said the skatepark was part of a bigger picture for the area, with plans for a youth hub for the city’s young people.
He said Council had found the young people had been visiting other regional centres to access their facilities.
“This is a really exciting time for the youth in our city, we have heard loud and clear that they need better facilities,” he said.
“This wonderful area will, over time, be developed into a significant space for the youth of the city and the region.
“The first stage is this $1.7m skatepark and that will be the start of a wonderful journey to come here to Tamworth, rather than see them travel to places like Dubbo, Port Macquarie and Newcastle to enjoy this standard of facility.”
Cr Murray said the project was shovel-ready and work would begin in the near future.
He admitted that council would be working on future measures to protect the new facility from vandalism, and flagged CCTV cameras could be an option for the park when work was complete.
He thanked Mr Anderson for the additional funding.
