The Nimbin Skatepark has been in the pipeline since 2001 and according to Friends of the Nimbin Skatepark (FONS) member Duncan Wilson, the community has until mid 2009 to complete the project or risk losing it forever.

The Nimbin Community Centre currently leases Peace Park, which includes the skatepark. As a condition of a new lease soon to be granted, Council has stated the Nimbin Community Centre must “either complete construction of the skatepark in accordance with the requirements of the development consent and have it open to the public within 12 months or to demolish the skatepark”.

FONS has now planned ongoing working bees at the skatepark and says they need in-kind donations of labour and support from local tradespeople and suppliers to finish the facility in time.

“Our aim is to complete sound mitigation works to a standard that will be acceptable to nearby residents, and we’re confident that’s achievable,” Duncan said. “At a community forum a representative of the local residents group concerned about the noise levels stated that they were also supportive of local youth and the project, provided sound could be minimised.

“Recently I heard on the grapevine that a crew of Ballina skaters have heard about our predicament and they think Nimbin Skatepark is such a great venue they are mobilising to come out and help get the job done. We need local skaters and their parents to do the same and get some momentum happening,” Duncan said. “To anyone who is familiar with the history of the skatepark they will know that this venue, which in its short history of being skated, before it was even open, attracted major pros and featured in several films. They will also know that this park caters for absolute beginners and is a golden opportunity for the youth of Nimbin to be able to go far in this sport.”

The first step is to clad the outside of the skatepark with sound mitigation materials and then do further noise testing.
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he next working bee for the Nimbin Skatepark is this Saturday, October 25, from 9am and every second and fourth Saturday of the month thereafter.

For more information visit the website http://sk8park.nimbincommunity.org.au or phone the Nimbin Community centre on 6689 0000.