Council Minutes - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTESTUESDAY 26 JUNE 2012An amount of $10,000 has been included in the Draft 2012/13 Infrastructure (Parks) budget tofund the repairs which are planned to be undertaken August - October 2012.The Convic Assessment Report found the main issue with the design of the skate park is that itdoes not cater for both beginner and advanced users. Specifically, the report found that theskate park lacks the following:• opportunities for users to develop skills and aid progression;• competition scale and sized obstacles;• variety and challenge to the diverse user group; and• exciting space that attracts local, national and international users and observers.2. Consultation with UsersTo consolidate the findings of the Assessment Report, Convic facilitated a workshop on22 February 2012 with users of the Perry Lakes Skate Park. The aim of the workshop was togain an understanding of the current state of the skate park from the users point of view, and todetermine their needs in relation to any proposed future upgrade.Of the 42 people who attended the workshop, all but one were young males between 13 and 24years of age who identified as skateboarders of an intermediate to advanced skill level. Theworkshop gained feedback on preferred skate park elements, construction materials,functionality, supporting amenities and design layout.Further consultation with users was undertaken by the Town through an on-line survey inFebruary/March 2012. The results of the survey confirmed:• the majority of users are older male skateboarders (17 - 25 years) with a high skill level• the majority of users have a high level of attachment to the current facility• the facility is more readily used in the afternoon and evenings• areas of concern include overcrowding by users, the limited variety of skate elements andthe lack of shade and lighting• there is a need for a facility that caters for a range of abilities and allows for beginners,intermediate and advanced users to coexist safely within the space; and• there is support for increased access to amenities including tables, benches, shade, toilets,water fountains and spaces in which to socialise and watch.3. Design VisionThe results of the user workshop and survey are detailed in the Convic Consultation Reportand have identified a number of key themes for the future upgrade and/or expansion of thePerry Lakes Skate Park:• Different Abilities; Different Elements: The provision of adjoining skate spaces designed fora variety of abilities and to enable users to progress their skill level• Lighting: The creation of a space that can be used in the late afternoons and early eveningsthrough the inclusion of lights controlled by automatic timers• Events Space: A facility that can be utilised for community events and competitions; and• Safe and Accessible Site: A well functioning space encourages increased usage by bothparticipants and spectators, which in turn increases passive surveillance and ownership ofthe facility.The Convic Consultation Report recommends the development of a regional facility through theexpansion of the skate footprint and the inclusion of a variety of skate elements. The size anddesign of the upgraded facility would cater for a range of abilities, community events and skateH:\CEO\GOV\COUNCIL MINUTES\12 MINUTES\JUNE 2012\C CR.DOCX 145