At its June meeting, the council received a recommendation to discuss the necessity to move the park and to identify a “preferred site”.   

However, councillor Ian Goninon moved a motion to allow the park to remain “in-situ and no further action to be taken”. 

The calls to move the park was a result of the increased use of the surrounding velodrome, which surrounds the park.

The velodrome was refurbished less than five years ago and cost council about $100,000. 

Councillor Michael Polley recalled when the park was built in 2003 and remembered the issue of trying to find a suitable spot then.

Cr Polley said the park needed to be in an easily accessible area, located close to a toilet block. 

“I will need to have a lot of evidence to convince me to change it. The further out of the town it is, the less people that will use it,” he said.   

Councillor Mary Knowles questioned whether the velodrome was being damaged by having users of the park continuously walk across it, but the council’s general manager Des Jennings said that wasn’t the case. 

The velodrome’s refurbishment was expected to attract large numbers of cyclists from across the state as well as becoming a base for competitions. 

“The velodrome is well utilised and council is now installing lighting around the velodrome,” Mr Jennings said.

“The lighting of the velodrome will become a significant drawcard, not only for cyclists, but also skateboarders.”

Mr Jennings said access issues would continue to increase as the popularity of both sites does in his report to council. 

“The siting of the skate park in the centre of St Georges Square is not compatible with the restored velodrome and detracts from the amenity of the velodrome,” he said. 

It was suggested to build a new facility at the dog off-leash area in Stokes’ Park. 

“The possible suggested site, is highly visible, not close to residential properties, has good access, car parking available,” Mr Jenning’s report said.