Temporary pump track set for car park at Burnside Council’s civic centre
Adelaide’s east is set to get its first skate park, after Burnside Council rubber stamped a 12-month trial for a $60,000 portable pump track.
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A $60,000 portable pump track could operate in the car park of Burnside Council’s civic centre for up to three months after elected members committed to a year-long trial in four different locations.
The council voted, 9-3, on Tuesday night to install a temporary, movable track – which caters for skateboards, scooters, bikes and in-line skating – also at Newland Reserve, Kensington Park and Miller Reserve, following strong community support for a permanent option.
Pump tracks can be assembled in a matter of hours and be up to 70m long.
Council officers say the car park in Tusmore would have to be sectioned off and is “only suitable for one-off events”.
However, Mayor Anne Monceaux told The Messenger time frames for each location would be decided at a later council meeting.
Cr Julian Carbone said it had been a “21-year dream” for council to commit to a skate park.
“The 17-year-old in me still finds hope that one day… we will have our very own wheel park,” Cr Carbone said.
“This council has undertaken more community consultation on this than any other issue over the past ten years.
“This is the issue of the decade.
“Let’s get some real data back to this council. This trial will once and for all prove the demand, and once and for all puts fears to rest.”
However, Cr Sarah Hughes said there was no guarantee a permanent option would follow the trial.
“This might be as good as we’re going to get,” Cr Hughes said.
Cr Harvey Jones said the cost of the pump track was “cheap as chips” and should be supported.
Skate the East founder Richelle Martin – one of eight residents who gave a spirited deputation to the council on Tuesday night – said a pump track was a good compromise.
“It’s not a skate park, it’s not a permanent location, it’s an opportunity to finally allow the kids and youth to participate in this discussion,” Mrs Martin said.
“Let’s give the kids a safer space to ride, let’s gather further statistics to support a permanent facility.
“Let’s give the people with concerns a chance to experience the benefits and remove the fear as many of these are based on assumptions.”
Michael Harris-Walker, who runs Skate Therapy which assists troubled youth, said a pump track would give kids an opportunity to be active.
“It isn’t just a piece of concrete sitting in the middle of a park. It’s a creative space like a piece of artwork,” Mr Harris-Walker said.
“It’s just a place to get away from the daily woes of life.
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“It gives them (kids) the opportunity to be heard. It’s a place for a kid to express themselves.”
Urban planner Bronte Nixon said Kensington Park was the best option for a pump track after assessing all proposed locations across 18 different criteria, including accessibility, public transport, lighting, safety concerns and “intrinsic feel”.
“Pump tracks are (places)… where kids can go to be healthy, to be out in the environment and to build social capital,” Mrs Nixon said.
“This is especially crucial for kids that feel isolated, for kids who do not conform to traditional sports and for kids who need to know that others shared their values.”
Young scooter rider Brody Bell said a pump track would give children a break from technology.
“A pump track might encourage people to get outside,” Brody said.
“There’s naughty behaviour in all sports, a quick Google search will show you that.”
The pump track trial is expected to begin in April.