Change room negotiations delay skate park project

Work on the new $8.25 million skate park and BMX track at Umina has been delayed by negotiations with sporting clubs for change rooms at Umina oval.

The Umina Community Group heard a report on progress at its annual meeting held at Club Umina on December 2.

Group secretary Mr Peter Springett said: "While funding of $ 8.25 million for the upgrade of the skate park and the BMX track at Umina has been confirmed by the Commonwealth Government in writing, the agreement between the Commonwealth and the Central Coast Council has not been finalised.

"Umina Community Group has continued to make representations to all parties involved to ensure that the facilities are delivered to our community.

"The agreement has been delayed by the negotiations for appropriate change room facilities with the sporting clubs.

"Once these have been agreed with the clubs the final agreement can be executed and the works can commence.

"Umina Community Group has advocated starting the BMX and skate park before gaining consensus with the sporting clubs but this has not gained agreement so far."

Mr Springett said upgrades to the sporting club facilities at Umina oval were "urgently needed to accommodate the growth of the clubs and the increase in gender diversity in their memberships".

He said the community group had made representations to both Central Coast Council and to the Commonwealth and had liaised with each of the clubs to move forward with the upgrades.

"It may be necessary to join with the clubs to increase the funding to make sure that all needs are met," he said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 7 Dec 2020

Peter Springett, Umina Community Group