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My latest reply.
Hi Jan,
Thanks for your reply. My expectations where not misguided, David had explained that the new park was to replace the old one, which was very antiquated in it's design and construction and reasonably close to dangerous, a playground is such state would have been condemmed and closed.
Ocean Grove now has the opportunity to build a new and modern park. You state the following in your responce to my email.
"It was never Council's intention to cater to expert or advanced skaters at Shell Road - the facility was always going to be pitched at the younger and/or beginner and intermediate skaters in Ocean Grove. The consulation process was always focussed on gaining innovative ideas around that premise. The new skate park in Barwon Heads is being designed with a bowl and the regional facility at Waurn Ponds also caters to advanced skaters. There was never any intention to replicate that kind of facility in Ocean Grove. In fact the younger skaters were quite vocal in their support of the street elements of the proposed design"
Some comments I would like to make are:
The initial 2 stage design plans for Ocean Grove caters very well for beginner skaters (age is irrelivant), through to intermediate level skaters and beyond. A park without higher skill level skaters/users using it will mean the beginners are not being shown what is possible, which tricks to learn and which part of the park to practice them in.
More experienced skaters will and do impart their knowledge/skills to the less skilled. I do know that the Green Room surveys stronly supported the bowl.
Yes, the Barwon Heads park will have a bowl and the Ocean Grove design you have currently is nothing like a replica of the Heads design, the only thing the 2 designs have in commom is that they both have a bowl component, albeit extremely different in design and purpose. Waurn Ponds is again different, medium size spined mini ramps, a 9ft 1/2pipe which is in need of serious repair, a rough un user friendly snake run not at all suitable for beginers and a flat area with 1/4's and banks and a park more utilized by bmx riders than skaters
The Ocean Grove bowl design is far more accessable and functional for beginer level users due to the "roll in" incorporated in the design, this feature gives an easy entry and exit to smaller or less skilled skaters, bmx riders and roller bladers. The squared off "U" shape design creates different areas that can be used by multiple users at one time or a single user utilising all of the areas to flow from one to the other.
I would like to ask you how many of the vocal younger skaters have actually ever been to another park outside the Geelong region?
Has there been widespead consultation with skaters, bmx ridersand other potential users?
It seems to me that the site and funds have been approved by council as part of the aquatic centre project and there is a rush to have this park built by the completion date, albeit with minimum imput from all concerned parties. I have not seen much if any publicity, other than the front page of the Ocean Grove Voice and an A4 copy of the design plans on the rear wall at the Green Room.
At the initial meeting, Convic were given rough design ideas on the types of terrain elements to be included, the plans you have are their interpretation of what was requested. Convic are the design experts and are responsible for one of the best parks in the world, they designed and built the SMP park in Shanghia. Their skills and knowledge should be relied upon THEY ARE THE EXPERTS and are very aware of what is happening within the skating and bmx communities worldwide and this is why they submitted the designs they did. Talk to Simon, Darren and Jason from Convic and heed what they say on design trends and ultimately let them guide you.
The beginners you cater for today are the advanced skaters of tomorrow, that is why the $130k, which I agree is a limited budget, must build the most progressive park available for the money, otherwise tomorrow it will be a redundant unused faciity.
Ultimately, it is the councils choice what gets built and historically skateparks are a one off opportunity., I do not want to see this great opportunity for the kids of Ocean Grove end up as a waste of ratepayers money.
Regards
Paul Fletcher.
Good on you Paul. Don't let up. The kids need a voice like yours. Keep the info flowing too, keen to see how all this plays out.
Ok all you Geelong and Bellarine, Surf Coast Skaters.
Its very important to really get on the train now and hassle the Greater City of Geelong this week.
Fletch, myself are trying to get them to commit to the original design CONVIC submitted which was a bowl to cater for any abillity of skateboarder, it varried in depth, had a roll in and was a great shape if more than 1 skater was sessioning it. This was what was asked for by the council with the committe at the first meeting and then a private meeting was held to reneg on what was voted for over the holidays displayed for imput in the local area.
The bowl won hands down, period! This would then establish a stage 2 for street and would demonstrate something fresh for the locals and finally get the community a skatepark that will not become redundant in 6 months.
The skaters deserve something bigger and better, just look at what is being constructed else where. Bendigo has just got a new park that is finally displaying the right direction we all should be heading.
I encourage all the skaters who can send email to the council expressing they want a park built that leads to progression.
Do you want another Leopold? That is exactly what will happen, its the easy way out and when the money is spent, thats it, you got a skatepark, what more do you want is their reply.
In their minds Waurn Ponds is the greatest thing they have ever done and as they believe caters for all abilities??? I dont see a decent vert ramp or bowl, what about a modern Plaza with decent stairs and Rails?
But we did manage to get 5000$ towards repairs to the 9ft ramp, not a full resurface, just a repair to the flat. Yes im spewn and with Trev we offered to fix the whole ramp for the same money but we are not prefered contractors, etc, etc.
Sorry for the rant Folks, but PLEASE get involved now, the $130,000 wont go to far, if we get what was first offered then there is the definant chance to get alot more in the future.
Feel free to ask for support with your mails, Fletch and I will back you guys.
Like jimmy says, all you dudes down our way get heard now, dont wait.
The man in charge of the Bellarine Aquatic centre contruction of which the new sk8park is part of, is President of the OG golf club and my wife is on the committee, I get the impression he just thinks I'm trying to get the bowl in cause thats what I like to skate.
We need heaps of support otherwise they, the council what do what they think is best and they are SO wrong.
emails to 'councillor@geelongcity.vic.gov.au' titled Ocean Grove Skatepark. be positive about beginer skaters learning in bowl type parks. It's a shame they won't gimme the plans so I can post them, am still working on that. I will push just as hard for the 2nd stage street park to be designed for what the skaters want.
We have to get the bowl in 1st
.
Heres what i sent Folks.
Get on Board now. Yes they wont let the plans be posted so voice it up now!!!
To whom this may concern,
This letter is to draw some attention to the latest proposal for construction of a new skatepark at Ocean Grove.
Before Christmas 2007 a committee of Skateboarders was formed to meet with council members and CONVIC to have discussions on the New skatepark to be built in Ocean Grove. We were asked to submit drawings and ideas to give the guys at CONVIC what was required by the local skate community .
A major issue within The Greater City of Geelong was discussed that we do not have adequate enough facilities which now have become redundant by todays standards for skateboarders and wanted a fresh approach with a design that encompassed progression and can be utilised regardless of a skaters ability which does not refer to age as which has been an issue to over come when talking to a person who is not familiar with the lifestyle.
Skateboarding has no resemblance to your traditional sports such as cricket and Football and should not be thought of in that way when designing a new skatepark.
One of the Key topics bought up was the design problem of on the lack of funds submitted to this project which means trying to build a facility which caters for Transition Skateboarding and Street Skating was impossible to do it justice for $130,000 which is a shoe string budget and quite pathetic for a city the Size of Geelong.
If the funding was to be such a small amount, the best solution was to build with the limited funds one design catering for Transition Skating or one for Street skating.
During the meeting it was discussed a design should be produced that could be built in 2 stages if in the future additional funding could be granted.
It was decided on in that meeting to design a Skatepark with a Bowl that would flow well enough that more than 2 skaters could use it simultaneously and of any ability could enjoy themselves. The layout needed to be able to handle a stage 2 street design to go around the bowl if in the future it was viable to extend the Facility.
Everybody in that meeting was pleased to move forward with CONVIC to go away and produce a design to this criteria.
To the joys of the Skateboarders on the committee, CONVIC delivered what was asked for and the initial design posted in the local Surf shop and local rag for voting on the preferred stage the Skatepark was to be built. The Transition Design which is the bowl, won hands down over the street layout which was quite obvious at the meeting in the design phase and well and truly backed up by the majority of the Skateboarders who will be using the facility.
Now the real issue is why has there been a change to what was asked for and voted on? There was a meeting which none of the core committee skateboarders were not informed of and invited to. It has been proven through this process that is what Skaters want built and not some half baked design with a little of this and that on a small scale which at the latest meeting have asked CONVIC to go re-design something with a mix.
This seems to me and the majority is a waste of time and Rate payers money. When asked up front what skaters want, the council does a back flip and goes their own way again. Why even spend a dollar? You can always use the crap Steel Pre Fab ramps from the existing park and and lay a new flat area of concrete to resurrect the past if that was really all that was intended to do.
I would be disappointed to see an opportunity for a world class design be wasted when there is no excuse to get something that would benefit the community and skateboarding as what that was the proposed intention.
Feel free to get in touch and discuss this matter if you deem this important.
Regards
Jimmy
Come on and get involved, they have plenty of cash to spurge on more Footy grounds, netball courts, swimming pools (un skatable of course). We are talking 10's of Millions of Dollars and Skaters get a piss weak 130K???
Who wants to keep skating 4ft parks down here forever?
Well written Jimmy.
Hopefully there have been a few others voising their opinion also
just read the thread, will also send a letter.
the old park has been ripped up yes?
sure has dunny.
i would write an email but i cant write anything for shit that makes sence..
Dean or anyone else.
If you are not confident in writing a war and peace selection post your email here.
Fletch or myself will gladly help you edit the next shakespere before you send it in.
Its that easy, im laid up at home bored due to the weekends slam and need something constructive to do.
They dont have to be war and peace. just speak up about getting the best most user friendly park for all ages and abilities.
I will have a copy of the original design to post in the next day or so..
Wait till you see what the council DON'T want to build us
I'm sure you will agree this is a great 2 stage design.
The council have after consultation with a few local under 10 yr olds desided to scrap this design and go for a single stage combination bowl/street park for the same money as each of the above stages. the above designs where budgeted at $130k each stage.
I and a many others are pushing for the bowl to done 1st as this can be used by many user groups, skaters Bmx, roller blades and scooters, I know we all hate the other user groups, however, they help in council's veiw as they are part of the target market. these other users cannot use a street section.
No 2 stage parks that are built with street as the 1st stage ever get extended to include a bowl and this is why we are pushing for the bowl 1st, then we push for street.
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Ocean Grove
Fletch 11:32 12/Feb/08
My latest reply.
Hi Jan,
Thanks for your reply. My expectations where not misguided, David had explained that the new park was to replace the old one, which was very antiquated in it's design and construction and reasonably close to dangerous, a playground is such state would have been condemmed and closed.
Ocean Grove now has the opportunity to build a new and modern park. You state the following in your responce to my email.
"It was never Council's intention to cater to expert or advanced skaters at Shell Road - the facility was always going to be pitched at the younger and/or beginner and intermediate skaters in Ocean Grove. The consulation process was always focussed on gaining innovative ideas around that premise. The new skate park in Barwon Heads is being designed with a bowl and the regional facility at Waurn Ponds also caters to advanced skaters. There was never any intention to replicate that kind of facility in Ocean Grove. In fact the younger skaters were quite vocal in their support of the street elements of the proposed design"
Some comments I would like to make are:
The initial 2 stage design plans for Ocean Grove caters very well for beginner skaters (age is irrelivant), through to intermediate level skaters and beyond. A park without higher skill level skaters/users using it will mean the beginners are not being shown what is possible, which tricks to learn and which part of the park to practice them in.
More experienced skaters will and do impart their knowledge/skills to the less skilled. I do know that the Green Room surveys stronly supported the bowl.
Yes, the Barwon Heads park will have a bowl and the Ocean Grove design you have currently is nothing like a replica of the Heads design, the only thing the 2 designs have in commom is that they both have a bowl component, albeit extremely different in design and purpose. Waurn Ponds is again different, medium size spined mini ramps, a 9ft 1/2pipe which is in need of serious repair, a rough un user friendly snake run not at all suitable for beginers and a flat area with 1/4's and banks and a park more utilized by bmx riders than skaters
The Ocean Grove bowl design is far more accessable and functional for beginer level users due to the "roll in" incorporated in the design, this feature gives an easy entry and exit to smaller or less skilled skaters, bmx riders and roller bladers. The squared off "U" shape design creates different areas that can be used by multiple users at one time or a single user utilising all of the areas to flow from one to the other.
I would like to ask you how many of the vocal younger skaters have actually ever been to another park outside the Geelong region?
Has there been widespead consultation with skaters, bmx ridersand other potential users?
It seems to me that the site and funds have been approved by council as part of the aquatic centre project and there is a rush to have this park built by the completion date, albeit with minimum imput from all concerned parties. I have not seen much if any publicity, other than the front page of the Ocean Grove Voice and an A4 copy of the design plans on the rear wall at the Green Room.
At the initial meeting, Convic were given rough design ideas on the types of terrain elements to be included, the plans you have are their interpretation of what was requested. Convic are the design experts and are responsible for one of the best parks in the world, they designed and built the SMP park in Shanghia. Their skills and knowledge should be relied upon THEY ARE THE EXPERTS and are very aware of what is happening within the skating and bmx communities worldwide and this is why they submitted the designs they did. Talk to Simon, Darren and Jason from Convic and heed what they say on design trends and ultimately let them guide you.
The beginners you cater for today are the advanced skaters of tomorrow, that is why the $130k, which I agree is a limited budget, must build the most progressive park available for the money, otherwise tomorrow it will be a redundant unused faciity.
Ultimately, it is the councils choice what gets built and historically skateparks are a one off opportunity., I do not want to see this great opportunity for the kids of Ocean Grove end up as a waste of ratepayers money.
Regards
Paul Fletcher.
discomagnet 11:47 12/Feb/08
Good on you Paul. Don't let up. The kids need a voice like yours. Keep the info flowing too, keen to see how all this plays out.
jimstar 12:07 12/Feb/08
Ok all you Geelong and Bellarine, Surf Coast Skaters.
Its very important to really get on the train now and hassle the Greater City of Geelong this week.
Fletch, myself are trying to get them to commit to the original design CONVIC submitted which was a bowl to cater for any abillity of skateboarder, it varried in depth, had a roll in and was a great shape if more than 1 skater was sessioning it. This was what was asked for by the council with the committe at the first meeting and then a private meeting was held to reneg on what was voted for over the holidays displayed for imput in the local area.
The bowl won hands down, period! This would then establish a stage 2 for street and would demonstrate something fresh for the locals and finally get the community a skatepark that will not become redundant in 6 months.
The skaters deserve something bigger and better, just look at what is being constructed else where. Bendigo has just got a new park that is finally displaying the right direction we all should be heading.
I encourage all the skaters who can send email to the council expressing they want a park built that leads to progression.
Do you want another Leopold? That is exactly what will happen, its the easy way out and when the money is spent, thats it, you got a skatepark, what more do you want is their reply.
In their minds Waurn Ponds is the greatest thing they have ever done and as they believe caters for all abilities??? I dont see a decent vert ramp or bowl, what about a modern Plaza with decent stairs and Rails?
But we did manage to get 5000$ towards repairs to the 9ft ramp, not a full resurface, just a repair to the flat. Yes im spewn and with Trev we offered to fix the whole ramp for the same money but we are not prefered contractors, etc, etc.
Sorry for the rant Folks, but PLEASE get involved now, the $130,000 wont go to far, if we get what was first offered then there is the definant chance to get alot more in the future.
Feel free to ask for support with your mails, Fletch and I will back you guys.
Fletch 13:12 12/Feb/08
Like jimmy says, all you dudes down our way get heard now, dont wait.
The man in charge of the Bellarine Aquatic centre contruction of which the new sk8park is part of, is President of the OG golf club and my wife is on the committee, I get the impression he just thinks I'm trying to get the bowl in cause thats what I like to skate.
We need heaps of support otherwise they, the council what do what they think is best and they are SO wrong.
emails to 'councillor@geelongcity.vic.gov.au' titled Ocean Grove Skatepark. be positive about beginer skaters learning in bowl type parks. It's a shame they won't gimme the plans so I can post them, am still working on that. I will push just as hard for the 2nd stage street park to be designed for what the skaters want.
We have to get the bowl in 1st
.
jimstar 13:34 12/Feb/08
Heres what i sent Folks.
Get on Board now. Yes they wont let the plans be posted so voice it up now!!!
To whom this may concern,
This letter is to draw some attention to the latest proposal for construction of a new skatepark at Ocean Grove.
Before Christmas 2007 a committee of Skateboarders was formed to meet with council members and CONVIC to have discussions on the New skatepark to be built in Ocean Grove. We were asked to submit drawings and ideas to give the guys at CONVIC what was required by the local skate community .
A major issue within The Greater City of Geelong was discussed that we do not have adequate enough facilities which now have become redundant by todays standards for skateboarders and wanted a fresh approach with a design that encompassed progression and can be utilised regardless of a skaters ability which does not refer to age as which has been an issue to over come when talking to a person who is not familiar with the lifestyle.
Skateboarding has no resemblance to your traditional sports such as cricket and Football and should not be thought of in that way when designing a new skatepark.
One of the Key topics bought up was the design problem of on the lack of funds submitted to this project which means trying to build a facility which caters for Transition Skateboarding and Street Skating was impossible to do it justice for $130,000 which is a shoe string budget and quite pathetic for a city the Size of Geelong.
If the funding was to be such a small amount, the best solution was to build with the limited funds one design catering for Transition Skating or one for Street skating.
During the meeting it was discussed a design should be produced that could be built in 2 stages if in the future additional funding could be granted.
It was decided on in that meeting to design a Skatepark with a Bowl that would flow well enough that more than 2 skaters could use it simultaneously and of any ability could enjoy themselves. The layout needed to be able to handle a stage 2 street design to go around the bowl if in the future it was viable to extend the Facility.
Everybody in that meeting was pleased to move forward with CONVIC to go away and produce a design to this criteria.
To the joys of the Skateboarders on the committee, CONVIC delivered what was asked for and the initial design posted in the local Surf shop and local rag for voting on the preferred stage the Skatepark was to be built. The Transition Design which is the bowl, won hands down over the street layout which was quite obvious at the meeting in the design phase and well and truly backed up by the majority of the Skateboarders who will be using the facility.
Now the real issue is why has there been a change to what was asked for and voted on? There was a meeting which none of the core committee skateboarders were not informed of and invited to. It has been proven through this process that is what Skaters want built and not some half baked design with a little of this and that on a small scale which at the latest meeting have asked CONVIC to go re-design something with a mix.
This seems to me and the majority is a waste of time and Rate payers money. When asked up front what skaters want, the council does a back flip and goes their own way again. Why even spend a dollar? You can always use the crap Steel Pre Fab ramps from the existing park and and lay a new flat area of concrete to resurrect the past if that was really all that was intended to do.
I would be disappointed to see an opportunity for a world class design be wasted when there is no excuse to get something that would benefit the community and skateboarding as what that was the proposed intention.
Feel free to get in touch and discuss this matter if you deem this important.
Regards
Jimmy
Come on and get involved, they have plenty of cash to spurge on more Footy grounds, netball courts, swimming pools (un skatable of course). We are talking 10's of Millions of Dollars and Skaters get a piss weak 130K???
Who wants to keep skating 4ft parks down here forever?
Fletch 15:11 12/Feb/08
Well written Jimmy.
Hopefully there have been a few others voising their opinion also
dunny 19:38 12/Feb/08
just read the thread, will also send a letter.
the old park has been ripped up yes?
dean123 21:29 12/Feb/08
sure has dunny.
i would write an email but i cant write anything for shit that makes sence..
jimstar 07:58 13/Feb/08
Dean or anyone else.
If you are not confident in writing a war and peace selection post your email here.
Fletch or myself will gladly help you edit the next shakespere before you send it in.
Its that easy, im laid up at home bored due to the weekends slam and need something constructive to do.
Fletch 10:23 13/Feb/08
They dont have to be war and peace. just speak up about getting the best most user friendly park for all ages and abilities.
I will have a copy of the original design to post in the next day or so..
Wait till you see what the council DON'T want to build us
Fletch 10:12 14/Feb/08
I'm sure you will agree this is a great 2 stage design.
The council have after consultation with a few local under 10 yr olds desided to scrap this design and go for a single stage combination bowl/street park for the same money as each of the above stages. the above designs where budgeted at $130k each stage.
I and a many others are pushing for the bowl to done 1st as this can be used by many user groups, skaters Bmx, roller blades and scooters, I know we all hate the other user groups, however, they help in council's veiw as they are part of the target market. these other users cannot use a street section.
No 2 stage parks that are built with street as the 1st stage ever get extended to include a bowl and this is why we are pushing for the bowl 1st, then we push for street.
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