Combining a skatepark, bike track, outdoor gym and picnic facilities, the St Marys Community Space has been earmarked for 18 Groom Street after Break O’Day Council agreed to issue the land for development at its December meeting.

The land allocation contributes to a package of more than $75,000 of in-kind donations towards the project, with Fingal Neighbourhood House supplying gym equipment and local businesses agreeing to provide surveying and excavating services free of charge. 

Break O’Day councillor and working group member Janet Drummond said the project had taken shape much faster than first anticipated. 

“At first we thought this would be a long term project - maybe three to five years - but it’s gained quite a lot of momentum,” Cr Drummond said.

“It’s the beginning of something that could grow into something much larger but having the space allocated was a huge move forward.

“Our local police have been involved in our committee and they were very pleased about that situation because it’s literally next door to the police station and it's just down the road from the St Marys school so it's ideally located.” 

After a small working group met earlier this year to discuss the possibility of building a skatepark in St Marys, the concept has snowballed to something Cr Drummond hopes will cater for the whole community.

“Later down the track we've talked about putting up an art wall and having the kids paint on it, and then document it through photography.

“Then we would whitewash it once every three months or something and start it over again and keep a documented record of what kids are painting.”

Fundraising efforts will continue into the new year, with organisers taking donations at the St Marys Christmas Parade, the New Year’s Day races, and at an outdoor concert set to take place at the site on January 27. 

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