Alice Springs skatepark closed indefinitely after safety concerns raised

The Alice Springs skatepark has been closed without warning after the public raised concerns.

THE Alice Springs skatepark has been closed without warning after the public raised concerns about its safety.

In particular, there was concern over “the slippery nature of the surface”, leading Alice Springs Town Council to close the facility indefinitely.

Council Director Technical Services Scott Allen said the park would remain closed until the council felt safety concerns had been “adequately addressed”.

“Concerns over the surface of our skate park have been brought to our attention, so we have made the decision to close the park to users at this time,” he said.

“The safety of our residents is paramount and this decision has been made with that in mind.”

At a Council meeting on May 11, Cr Jimmy Cocking brought up the matter of the skatepark in relation to infrastructure repair that is of particular relevance to youth.

The skatepark matter was first raised at a Council meeting in September 2020, where councillors noted that attempts to paint over graffiti – which was making the surface slippery – had only made matters worse.

Council is currently in the process of obtaining quotes for an independent assessor to inspect the park.

Follow @leesaulrobinson