Doveton gets its skates on

Casey teenager Brandon Smith will no longer have to travel to Pakenham’s skate park to pull off tricks like this.Casey teenager Brandon Smith will no longer have to travel to Pakenham’s skate park to pull off tricks like this.

KICK flips, ollies and grinds will soon be all the rage in Doveton with a skate facility to be built at Waratah South Reserve.
Skate boarders will be thrilled with the news that $80,000 has been allocated to design and build the beginner to intermediate-graded skate park.
And best of all, local skaters will be able to have their say on what they want at the new facility.
Casey Council will contribute $40,000 with the other half being picked up by the Doveton Eumemmerring Neighbourhood Renewal (DENR) group.
Council officers said the project would start within the 2007-08 financial year.
Officers said studies had been undertaken within the Doveton-Eumemmerring area, which had revealed a considerable lack of activities for young people.
It is hoped that an outdoor fitness facility will also be built next to the skate park, with council waiting on the announcement of potential funding from the State Government.
Casey city living manager Richard Amon said the skate park would be a low-level facility that serviced the needs of local skaters.
“Consultation for the skate park will take place over the next couple of months and will include liaison with school students and skaters in the area,” Mr Amon said.
“The design will be developed in response to the outcomes of the consultation and will consider the project parameters such as site conditions and available budget.
“Feedback gathered through the consultation process will help determine the design for the skate facility.”
The skate park is one of many projects and events being coordinated in the Doveton and Eumemmerring area by the DENR group.
Events such as the Doveton Australia Day festival, Myuna Farm Christmas carols, Doveton Show and Doveton Eumemmerring garden competition are just a few of the successful programs run by DENR.