Indoor Skateparks have many advantages over traditional outdoor ones. They are completely self-contained so that the impact on residents can be reduced or completely eliminated. This could be a viable solution for the problems facing the Shire in where to locate a skate park, and help avoid anti-social behaviour associated with outdoor parks. The Wanda site is not a safe place to leave kids. Indoor parks are still a relatively new concept in Australia however in the US and Canada where skateboarding originated indoor parks are common. They are often subsidised by government or community groups because their advantages are well understood by the broader community. These advantages include: Indoor parks are supervised so that bullying, violence and other anti-social behaviour can be stopped. Parents can leave their kids and come back later. All staff are trained in first aid Indoor parks are not subject to the same level of graffiti and vandalism because they are always supervised. Layouts of an indoor skatepark can be changed to keep up with the trends An indoor park is cheaper to build and maintain Indoor skateparks can be used in any weather. Different sessions can be scheduled for BMX riders, scooter riders and skateboarders Indoor skateparks can run competitions, demonstrations and clinics which foster the local skate scene, and create networks for kids of similar interests. This represents a great opportunity for the Shire to gain a world class facility for the local youth.

A skate park at Wanda flies in the face of the combined Councils new focus on antisocial behaviour in public places like the beachfront.

Clearly there are some angry local residents / NIMBY ( not in my backyard) Does marilyn know that there was an indoor facility that could not afford to stay open in taren point? I believe there is a report into this, which states that an indoor facility is far too expensive for a council to run. The council have investigated this. "The Wanda site is not a safe place to leave kids. " I'm starting to believe this as I hear about and meet some of the local residents , and their consistent habit to falsify information to the public. What a way to keep an open barely used area even less used. How about building facilities for all families so that more people are using the area and will make it safer ???? BBQ's, play equipment, tables , seats, skateboard and bike facilites so that the whole community can use it? Rockdale, Bondi, maroubra, all have built parks for the community. But Cronulla has no place for it, right ? "Indoor parks are still a relatively new concept in Australia however in the US and Canada where skateboarding originated indoor parks are common." Sounds like an experienced traveller to me. But no, they are actually still building bigger and better outdoor facilites, like cairns. http://www.skateplaza.com lets not generalise and say all skateboarders and other riders are criminals. How petty. How about we give the local people of all ages another healthy outdoor activity in an area which has plenty of unused potential.

An outdoor skate facility at Wanda would be a positive tool to bring about self confidence, fitness and social order for the youth of the eastern end of the shire. I have been skating facilities across Sydney for 15 years, and have found them to be positive places for families, and when managed well they enhance a location and encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to use the space and enjoy it. I've been in contact with nineteen local church's, and all are in favour of the skate facility at Wanda. Dan Zietsch North Cronulla Resident Christian Surfers Cronulla St Lukes Anglican church Miranda Eastern Areas Skate Park Steering Committee Member

Angry Tax Payer-Get real! As bad as you may perceive things to be you're talking about the shire not the tough streets of Redfern or Macquarie Fields. Or is it you have a preference for your local youths to be directionless and bored, easily manipulated into being caught up in the latest thing that's happening-such as race riots than using up their energy in a healthy pursuit? Can you hear me over your Wagner or have you already gone out to your book-burning? Having grown up in the Shire it's embarassing this riot is what Cronulla is known for both across Sydney and the world. So maybe this (indoor) skate arena idea could be a great way to change the perception of the area as something positive in the area and bring tourism/day-tripppers inject some $cash$/new life into the area. EG. 1. It's a busy life as a (working) parent/guardian, you have to multi-task as you don't have much time therefore an example could be: if I brought my child to the skate arena, I could do some shopping, have a $surf-lesson/$swim (forgot the goggles/sunscreen)/$walk on beach (need a hat/bottle of water)/$personal training session/get a $haircut/$yoga class/$massage done while I'm there for a few hours, then I'd probably want a $coffee/$snack for me plus $drink/$snack for kids and/or $lunch for all of us, we need some $meat/$vegies/$fruit for tomorrow, I've got to get mum a $card and $$birthday present oh and yes John/Suzy needs a new pair of $socks/$shoes and a $jacket...($oh I like that bag$$) I can get them while I'm here in the area etc. Gee.. it was such a good experience (ie kids were busy and having fun and I could get things done) next week I'll get my two friends (2x$$$$'s)with kids to come. Eg 2. If I was not local enough for us to drive home after a day we might make a family weekend of it, u know skate$, go to beach, get a $pizza/$thai for dinner, buy an $ice cream, $$shop$$, $movies etc. Eg 3. Bus day trips coming from Wollongong/Kiama or wherever especially during summer/school holidays. Eg 4. I'm a young person--I want to go hang out with other young people...hmmm? where can i go.... oh...that's right the $skate arena I can get a $slushie/drink, meet up. Or are all the businesses going that well out there in Cronulla/Shire you don't need more "new" trade that this could potentially create? (Economic Crisis aside-as just like the "recession we had to have" this will pass too.) Newsflash-Angry TP-Drugs are everywhere-from being supplied by MPs to lost boys (who most likely had nowhere safe to go or to skate and make some new friends) to the schoolgirls trying to lose weight (skating burns calories), to the surgeon who can't cope with the stress of their job. Skating is a growing international sport that requires physical fitness, strength, patience, focus, goal setting and determination to overcome the challenges of conquering and focus to develop their skating skills. You know those useful skills for life such as resilience and learning to pick yourself up and try again until you can get it right. (Something the older generations too often complain the young ones don't have) Additionally, many surfers/snowboarders (pro and recreational) use skating as a training method to assist in balance skills needed in these sports. And often it's a good introduction to these other sports. It's relatively cheap-unlike say football that every year you need new uniforms, boots, registration fees-whereas you only need a deck and lets face it which kid doesn't already have a pair of sneakers. A starter deck is fairly cheap/comparable when you compare it to a gaming device or bike they may get for birthdays/Christmas. It's transportable-if you have a skateable surface-off you go. (Obviously-like anything else parents/guardians' responsibility to be involved and ensure nothing illegal or dangerous is involved-Nana's driveway on a Sunday visit is usually not too risky-nor the local curtain twitcher's business) No coaching fees-as tips are usually passed down via the skating tribe-or by watching and practising what you see on the street, tv or a magazine. Tribalism-being a part of a group-sense of belonging rather than isolation and loneliness (what do they usually say about those kids that go on a shooting or other kind of violent rampage-oh that's right "loner") yes it can end up "lord of the flies"-but in what group of young people is their not the risk of that happening (this even happens in exclusive/private sydney girls schools) . Additionally, kids get to meet others that may not live in their street/area, go to their school, look the same/wear the same clothes and learn to make friends with people who may be different to them-tolerance/understanding another valuable skill for going into the world-once again opportunity to be a part of a group. (Kids are not just judged/excluded by what car they arrive in/where they go on holidays/clothes they are wearing they are judged on their skills.) From the peer support and adulation of being this week's "master of the latest trick"and from their own sense of achievement from mastering the new skill it builds their self-esteem-so our boys/girls can feel good about themselves and don't need to become bullies as adults to achieve a sense of worth. Oh and as far as role-models-well based on last few weeks (do we really need to hear the details again?). I'm sure-some professional (?) sportspeople wish they were as together as Tony Hawk well over 30 still skating it up (ie staying fit for life)-truly family oriented and last I heard involved in helping the young ones get a step up in the world through opportunities provided by pro-skating and charities. By the way Angry Tax Payer-ur average 15 year old today more likely has a job (part-time) and guess what he/she pays tax as well-so they are probably angrier than you that their weekly contributions to the public purse are not necessarily used with priority towards anything to do with facilities for young people . Additonally I'm sure these kids are not hatching from eggs-their parents are paying income tax and then all the other taxes/levies involved in the expenses they pay to on goods/services/council rates to get these kids walking-let alone to an age where they can skate (probably a lot more tax than even you would ever pay). Additionally, ATP in around 10 years they will be paying lots of tax when they are 25 (finished school, tafe, uni, working full-time or business owners) and more likely will end up being long term Shire council rates payers because they were able to grow up in peace-and if you enjoy your childhood it's usually where you want to raise your kids. Good on you Marilyn for injecting some useful information to this issue. Hopefully serious skater enthusiasts/lobbyists will investigate this issue further and get further support based on useful information (rather than stereotypes or misconceptions) and perhaps approach some major sponsors and/or apply for community grants and mobilise to get this kind of useful project off the ground. Business owners? Sponsors? Are you out there? Do you not think kids would use an indoor area? The little ones that are up at the indoor playcentres in the shire today/weekend-well mum/dad will have to take them/send them somewhere in a few years for independent play/rainy days/birthday parties/participate in a sport. If you have a multi-purpose/sessions-eg young Jack can skate ramp, while Emily can skate the course. Let alone if you put in some seats and run comps/put on pro displays every month or so. Ticket sales/merchandising. How about some school holiday skate clinics? You could have one off entry fees, multi-entry passes and memberships-like a gym-entry gift vouchers. The kids or more likely Mum/Dad/Nan/Pop will be buying their Vans shoes/wheels/decks somewhere-why don't u stick a skateshop in ur foyer get one of the otherwise local surf/skate shops to tender for the lease? Perhaps a performance area so local garage/upcoming bands could and come play/practice-young bands are desperate for venues and young people are desperate for free entertainment. Plus it will create jobs-in the snack bar/cleaners/coaches/admin in itself-let alone in the surrounding businesses that will benefit. If skating was my own/or my children/s passion and/or if I was reading this and I knew some people with money/ability (and we know ou have loads of both in the Shire) to get this off the ground I'd be taking this to them and having discussions as how we're going to do it. Rather than waiting till I'm taking/sending my kids/grandkids across to the other side of Sydney to where this facility with the support of the community and its local businesses will be built. I could be totally wrong-but what if I was right and the Shire missed out on the next big thing.

Please, please, please!! everyone needs to stop and think for a second... Now i'm tired of fear mongering, people are bringing up tired old stereotypes from the past that skateboarding is rebellious and its out of control kids on the lose. The thing people don't realise is that skateboarding has an overwhelming influence on our youth of today, young and old now Skate, Rollerblade and ride BMX. You can go to a skatepark anywhere around sydney and find people as young as 5 and people even over 40. The past 3 years my little brother has had his birthday at the Monster Skatepark in Homebush he can easily fill our 8 seated car and the other 5 seater with kids ready to have a day at the park. Skateboarding doesn't divide communities or destroy local areas it embraces our youth it gets people involved and doing especially our young and old. As with anything there is always the bad sorts but you get it with everything so does that mean we just dont do it!!!. Skating isn't about drugs and alcohol, since when does a skate park bring drug dealers to an area. Believe me that problem is already here and skate park or not its not in any serious going to effect what goes on... People need to stop being selfish and start thinking for the youth of today no matter how young or old you are this is a great addition to our local community. Embrace it!!!

I find it extremely funny the people who are concerned with the skate park impacting on their community. News flash - you live in Cronulla already. If you want the quiet life here are some directions. Turn right into the Kingsway Then left at the Princes Highway and drive. Hope this helps Warren

Oh Marilyn, aren't you tired of spreading your stories yet? I know I and many others are sick of hearing them. When it comes to skate parks and skaters you obviously have incredibly limited knowledge and biased views. Indoor skate parks in Sydney don't work as running costs are astronomical at around $3-4 million per year, and skaters prefer the outdoors. If you had any idea you'd know there is virtually no bullying, violence etc at skate parks. Just ask the police, the SSC or any skater or parent. The only bullying I know of saw skaters being heckled and harassed by two women at the Rally at the Ally. People of that age should know better! You say Wanda is unsafe. Marilyn, get your story straight. What is it? A beautiful, pristine park that will be blighted by skaters or is it too dangerous for use? Pick a horse and back it. Yeah, let's lock the kids up in a factory park like you want. Let's get them hit by trucks when the're travelling through the industrial area to get there. Not even your comment about all weather use is right. Go to the other indoor park in the middle of summer. The heat is oppressive and no one stays to watch coz it's hot, noisy and uncomfortable. And now these stories are being put in people's letter boxes. Aren't precinct committees supposed to represent the comunity's majority view? What's going on here? Look at the opinions. The majority want a park at Wanda. Start doing your job. It seems to me you are being a public nuisance when you are supposed to help the community via the precinct committee. You should hang your head in shame.

As a 23 year old guy, if this actually gets built and is designed properly I will be down there all the time, and there's usually someone to look out for the younger ones. If you want to worry about the big bad world of alcohol, drugs and vandalism, don't let your kids out of the house. Don't complain when they need to deal with all these things at once when they reach their teens, have learned everything they know from movies and are pumped full of stress and hormones. Skateboarding takes discipline, determination and is a great way to relieve stress. For all the parents who want their children to enjoy life and achieve, give them a dream and something to believe in. There are arguably better role models at the skatepark then there are on the football field. All the upset residents will complain, no matter what you put there. Unfortunately, the children don't matter to them! Think of the children!

A bit of history of skateboarding in the area for the last 10 years. - Taren Point Vert-X closed down. - Skatepit reopen at the same location and eventually closed down. - Padstow Vert-X later opened for a few years and also failed. - Sutherland PCYC (Very small poorly designed facility and requires membership.) Currently closed, waiting on a security camera to be installed. - Engadine Skatepark. (Not worth the price of a train ticket to get there.) - Menai skatepark (Poor transitions. Doesn't cater for all skill levels, half this park is never used.) - Helensburgh skatepark was recently built. Great park if you have half and hour to drive there. And of course a car. - Rockdale Skatepark, recently built. Again is a bit of a drive. Good park, but they haven't placed seating in the correct places so kids and parents get in the way. If the council pulls the finger out and decides to put some money into this thing, please get it designed professionally!!!! At least talk to the skate shop owners...... bricklayers and concreters have no idea what skateboarding is about.. There are a number of professional designers for this type of thing and it would be a complete waste of time if it turns out to be as good as they rest on offer.