Shire of Dardanup opens $1 million skatepark and bike pump track development at Eaton Activity Centre

A brand new $1 million skatepark in the heart of greater Bunbury has officially been opened as part of a major redevelopment of the recreation precinct. The Shire of Dardanup hosted an official ribbon-cutting ceremony last week to commemorate the new skatepark and pump track in Eaton, funded through state and federal grants. The new park, which opened to the public in December, is part of the ongoing development of the Eaton Activity Centre, across from the Eaton Fair shopping complex. The million dollar budget was provided through a number of national grants, including Lotterywest, the Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, Council’s Building Asset Management Reserves and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Community Sport and Recreational Facilities Fund grant. At more than twice the size of the original skatepark, the facility was designed by Skate Sculpture and New Line Skate Parks following a series of community design workshops with skate park users. The new park features a skate plaza, bowl and flow zone with varying levels of difficulty to accommodate all ages and levels of ability, as well as a separate specialised bmx pump track. Shire president Mick Bennett said the family friendly zone will provide new socialisation and participation opportunities for the growing families throughout the region. “What’s fantastic about this new facility is that it accommodates skateboards, scooters and bmx with significant challenges for advanced users while still having something to offer for users with beginner and intermediate skills,” Cr Bennett said. “It will absolutely be a drawcard for visitors with sought-after features including a main bowl, taco, wave ramp and quarter pipe with hip, box and volcano.” Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns said the new facility supporting “non-traditional” sport will greatly affect the community’s passions. “The community had a lot to do with the design, it’s a real community driven project . . . and I think it is a really great opportunity for the region to come and access the fantastic things the shire has to offer,” she said. “I think this is a fantastic opportunity to reflect on non-traditional sports, with skateboarding and box free styling stepping into the spotlight and gaining new fans at the 2021 summer Olympics. “I think when you look at exciting sports like these emerging, it might be someone from this area that goes on to represent Australia in those Olympic Games.