Work begins on $3.6m skate park
Youth support group Mingle Mob "can't wait" until a new $3.6 million skate park is opened in South Hedland after construction started last week.
Town of Port Hedland Mayor Kelly Howlett turned the first sod at the South Hedland Youth Space site last Wednesday, with construction expected to be completed by April 2015.
Mingle Mob co-ordinator Kristal Wyllie said she had no doubt the youth spage, set to be the biggest skate park in Australia, would be put to good use.
"The South Hedland skate park is already a hot spot where all the young people we work with like to hang out," she said.
"Mingle Mob does skate park raves every fortnight. We bring a DJ down and he has a big music session for the kids.
"I can't wait until we have a newer and better space for our young people to enjoy these events."
The new youth space will be located between the South Hedland aquatic centre and library and will replace the current skate park, which groups such as Mingle Mob consider too small and becoming run-down.
Ms Wyllie said the new park was important for more than just its ability to engage Hedland youngsters in healthy activities.
She said it would also provide them with a safe place to hang out, while under the supervision of local groups such as Mingle Mob.
Ms Wyllie said she was also happy Town planners had taken on board community feedback and located the new skate park away from main roads to reduce the risk of children being hit by cars.
Ms Howlett said the Town had consulted widely with the community over the past three years when designing the park.
"The result is a space that is more than just a skate park. It's about providing young people with an inclusive space that provides them with a sense of pride and ownership," she said.
Ms Howlett was joined at the soil-turning ceremony by representatives of BHP Billiton, Fortescue Metals Group and LandCorp, which contributed $2.38 million, $500,000 and $350,000, respectively, to the project.
