First look at draft plan for new Gunnedah youth space, skatepark

The Gunnedah shire community has one week left to give feedback about the Youth Space draft concept design.

In 2024, council contracted Convic to develop a concept design for a new Youth Space to replace the skatepark on View Street.

This design intends to “meet current and future trends within active youth recreation and wheel action sports”, according to the council report.

The area could see new changes such as a pop-up kiosk/cafe area, new skatepark ‘flow zone’, a toilet block, barbecue, climbing walls, parkour walls and bars along with a basketball half court.

These are just some of the changes included in the stage one and stage two concept design plans on council’s website.

Investigating an update to the skatepark was recommended in the Gunnedah Shire Open Space Strategy for 2022-2032.

The concept design report stated the current skatepark is “not highly utilised due to its age and not meeting current trends in skatepark design and construction”.

The new design was met with enthusiasm by Gunnedah shire councillors at December’s meeting last year, including Cr Juliana McArthur.

“I know I speak for all councillors [when I say], we are all wildly excited about this,” Cr McArthur said.

“I know in the previous [council] term, I did wonder how we were going to fix the skatepark and this plan has exceeded all expectations.”

In agreement was Cr Linda Newell and Cr Cameron Moore who echoed Cr McArthur’s sentiment.

“There is room to meld and change it but it is absolutely fabulous and it will set up a really good space,” Cr Newell said.

“I was so impressed by the people that presented the concept to us.

Gunnedah skatepark in its current format.

“It is probably one of the most exciting things I have seen since being here so I want, particularly, young people to have a look at it.

“I think it will be a massive step in the right direction for Gunnedah and creates a very collective space between the showground and the Wandobah precinct,” Cr Moore said.

The consultation process began last year with an ‘end user’ workshop and an online survey with 285 responses.

Gunnedah High School Year 7 students also had their say within a course called ‘Play and Livability’ with their discussion about the skatepark improvements given to Convic.

From the consultation process, most responses (55 per cent) came from parents and guardians, the majority of who were women.

Most responses from active users came from scooter riders, skateboarders and BMX riders.

Responses made clear the space needed to be better catered toward younger children and future generations along with the current user demographic.

It also revealed a request for a pump track and better access to toilets. Other requests were for lighting and the option to include a cafe.

The design factors in mainly beginner and intermediate skill level of park users but also caters toward all skill levels according to the pre-design consultation summary.

Once the finalised concept design is complete, it will be used by the Gunnedah Shire Council to obtain external funding. The community will have until next Thursday (January 16) to make submissions to Gunnedah Shire Council upon reflection of the design concept on its website. The design has been on public exhibition since mid-December.