THE Lancelin community launched two facilities over the Labour Day long weekend – a skate park and swim platform.
The skate and BMX park upgrade officially opened on March 3, and is expected to benefit about 100 young people who use it weekly and more than twice as many tourists who visit during the peak holiday season.
The Federal Government provided $126,000 towards the upgrade, with the Shire of Gingin contributing $4700.
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Regional Development, Territories and Local Government Minister John McVeigh said investing in such projects helped to grow a more vibrant and viable community.
“Free state-of-the-art skate parks provide a safe environment for kids to enjoy the sport they love so much, and are a great way for them to get outdoors and get active,” Dr McVeigh said.
Pearce MHR Christian Porter said the community had been passionate about the Lancelin Skate and BMX Park project.
“Lancelin is one of the peak tourism hot spots along the Perth coastline and the upgrades to the Lancelin Skate and BMX Park will benefit not only the local youth but the many holiday makers and visitors that come to town,” he said.
“Skate parks are important community projects – they get kids off the couch, keep them active and healthy and provide them with a safe space to meet, learn, skate and socialise.”
Shire of Gingin President Sam Collard said the Shire was grateful for the investment by the Federal Government.
“The upgraded Lancelin Skate and BMX Park will provide a healthy community life where our young people can have fun, make new friends and keep active,” he said.
“Our thanks must also go to the young people in the Shire who participated in our Youth Survey and Art Competition – they told us a skate and BMX park was important to them.
“By investing in projects like this one we are helping our youth to feel included, vibrant and healthy.”
The Lancelin District Community Association had also installed a $18,000 swim platform ahead of the long weekend, having run a GoFundMe campaign for it earlier in the year.
Committee member Kym Illman said the swim platform had been popular all weekend, with the town “pumping” with more than 1000 people taking part in the Lancelin Colour Blast on March 3.
Mr Illman said the association would maintain the platform, which was on a mooring, and remove it in winter.
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