Dispute leaves skate park closed

It has taken five years for a group of George Town youths to lobby, plan and raise funds to build their dream, with the help of the town’s Wattle Group, yet they are unable to use it.

The George Town Council has blockaded the site, for which it is responsible, due to safety concerns and ongoing queries about its completion status.

The development has become a sore point for members of the community, after Wattle Group announced a grand opening that was not able to eventuate.

Renowned Tasmanian skate park designer Simon Williams, of Concrete Dreams, gave the park his tick of approval via email correspondence this week.

‘‘I have visited the site and found the completed park to have been built to the exacting details, as set out in the approved drawings, which I produced and Pitt and Sherry engineers certified,’’ Mr Williams wrote.

The park was something everyone wanted to see open and used, but it did not mean the council could shirk its duty of care, George Town Mayor Bridget Archer said.

‘‘It’s obviously on public land and council will be responsible for the facility and ongoing maintenance,’’ Cr Archer said.

‘‘There are a number of other outstanding items that need to be worked through with Wattle, some of those directly related to the safety of the park need to be completed before it’s opened.’’

Wattle Group chief executive Joy Cox said she had experienced numerous difficulties in dealing with the council about the project and was left feeling disgruntled.

‘‘We have had four engineers working on this one,’’ Mrs Cox said.

‘‘How many experts have to say this skate park is right?

‘‘Who were the qualified people who said they are concerned?’’

The George Town Council will discuss the future of the skate park during its general meeting tomorrow at 10am.