Central Coast Council has officially opened the new and improved regional skatepark and BMX track at Umina’s Peninsula Recreation and Active Lifestyle Precinct.
The $8M upgrade includes a new basketball court, bouldering climbing unit, two sports amenities buildings, new cricket practice nets, futsal court, and shared and connective pathways as well as an access road and carpark upgrade.
Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart said the milestone followed a shared journey with the community, including Umina Community Group and local sporting clubs, which have driven the much-wanted upgrades and participated in design.
“Over 640 people completed surveys during community engagement activities in 2018 which provided input into the planning of the developed skate park and precinct improvements,” Hart said.
“We’re thankful to the Australian Government for their investment in our region and their funding that has enabled Council to deliver a revitalised, functional, accessible and improved sporting and recreation infrastructure for the Peninsula.”
The multi-year project was delivered in five stages.
Stage one works commenced early in 2022, with the subsequent stages progressing throughout 2022 to 2024.
The new regional skatepark is one of the largest on Central Coast, designed to cater for a broad range of wheeled sports and different riding abilities from beginner to advanced, and now suitable to host competitions.
The park includes an advanced deep bowl and mini beginner bowl plus street elements.
Works also included the installation of new recreational infrastructure including park furniture, shelters, water refill station, connective pathways and landscaping.
The new BMX track is also designed to cater for a broad range of wheeled sports and different riding abilities from beginner to advanced, and the track has a high-quality asphalt surface.
Both spaces have competition standard lighting installed.
The existing half basketball court was demolished and replaced with a full-size court and floodlights have been installed on a timer to allow extended use of the new facilities year round.
Council funded the additional installation of a new playspace area with two colourful bouldering climbing units with rubber softfall base.
The larger combined bouldering unit also has ropes and can accommodate a large number of older children, with the second smaller climbing structure suitable for younger children.
Umina Tennis facilities were upgraded with the replacement of the building’s roof and installation of a new synthetic surface for court five to create a dedicated futsal court.
Existing aged amenities buildings were demolished and replaced with two significantly improved and accessible facilities for the benefit of the local rugby league, cricket and soccer groups that use the sports fields.
The new Melbourne Ave amenities block incorporates unisex, ambulant and accessible toilets, two changerooms, one canteen and store, two storage rooms and one clubroom.
The new amenities building at Etta Rd also incorporates unisex, ambulant and accessible toilets, plus four changerooms, one referee room, canteen and store, storage room, and clubroom.
Each site also has utility service upgrades and new accessible pathways.
The three cricket practice nets adjacent the Melbourne Ave amenities building were reconstructed.
The upgrade also included: a new shared path on the western side of Sydney Ave (adjacent the skatepark); carpark upgrade and two new accessible car spaces; a concrete pedestrian pathway which connects the new carpark to the caravan park and recreational precinct.
The access road from Sydney Ave to Ocean Beach Caravan Park was also reconstructed, with additional parking spaces, new drainage infrastructure and upgraded pedestrian crossings with a raised crossing with pedestrian lighting.
Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the upgrades had enhanced the recreational and sporting offerings at the popular precinct and improved accessibility.
Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid said the new precinct looked outstanding and would be loved for years to come.
He gave particular thanks to Central Coast Council and the Umina Community Group, which was instrumental in calling for the upgrade.
The project was funded by the Australian Government with $8.25M from the Community Development Grants Program and Central Coast Council, with a contribution from the Umina Community Group.