Top 5

In a previous post we discussed the project being costed at more than the budget . The cost planners have now taken a look and agree that we need to identify some savings. The reference group, PCL, Convic and Manteena have all been considering what is the most and least important to keep and welcome your ideas as well.

Please let us know - by a comment on this post - your top 5 and your bottom 5 things in the design.

Melbourne hints

The trip to visit youth recreation spaces in Melbourne was a very worthwhile way to spend a couple of days.

The main tips to come out of the meetings with people who have built and run similar spaces are:

• it isn't all about the skaters though they can make the most noise (hear that skaters?) make sure there is enough happening for other people
• make sure parents are catered for with spaces where they can keep an eye on things without being in their kids' face
• make the ipod dock as vandal resistant as possible and set a max volume
• check if lights on the performing space are necessary or if events will happen in daylight most of the time
• get some skaters/riders to look over the plans carefully and make sure they are happy with the design
• provide shade
• get some programs and clinics going for when it opens
• consider finding someone with skater cred to undertake the maintenance and be the main contact for the park
• look at ways to have refreshments at the space rather than everyone needing to head off to the shops for something to eat and drink
• get the youth services deeply involved in the running of the space
• don't try to drop skate terms in conversation because skaters will think you are trying too hard to be cool when you obviously are not
• check and clean the space daily and clean it well - keep it looking good
• listen to the users and promote a good attitude and culture for the space
• talk to schools about running programs for students - safe use etc
• skaters may want full access 100% of the time without allowing for other uses such as events (sound right?) and this will need to be managed
• create provision for temporary artwork displays
• make it look good for filming because apparently skaters like to film, a lot
• try to have more than one performance space

That covers the main points. It was interesting that most of the issues that came up were around how to manage the space once it was opened and that it was good to have a balance of structured activities and helpful supervision without being around all the time. This is something we had not given much thought to yet and welcome any suggestions Canberra young people have.

Visit to Melbourne

Later this week Lea Durie from PCL will be travelling to Melbourne to visit youth recreation facilities in Geelong and the city and to talk with Convic and relevant Council staff. Information gathered from this visit will inform the design development and construction quality control for this project.

If there is anything in particular you think should be looked at on this trip please let us know.

Photos will be posted here next week. None will be of Lea trying to ride a skateboard.

As a P.S. - two new links have been added to the side bar - Why Skateparks leads to an interesting article on the value of these facilities.

Thanks

We really wished we had set up the comments differently at the start - this is wonderful. Keep those comments coming.

update overdue

Firstly I apologise to all for the lack of information over the past several weeks - I have been on much needed holidays.

In that time Convic Design have been contracted by Manteena, the project managers, to develop the design further - to a stage where it is ready for construction.

Manteena have engaged a local cost planner to review the project and provide a full estimate of construction cost. This will be used over the next week, we hope, to finalise the project scope.

There has also been some comments expressing some disappointment about the revised design posted at Easter. It is helpful to get this feedback because even though we do need to scale the project back - we need to scale back the bits least important to you and make sure we keep the most interesting bits - within reason of course. The comments received are being used to keep modifying the design and here are some images of the latest revised plan from a few days ago.

Again we will (hopefully later today) be posting a better resolution image of the design on the TaMS website.

Recently we asked if you thought the blog was a worthwhile tool - and only got 3 responses, however the site hits tell another story. In response to one comment about the nuisance of having to log in to leave a comment we have removed this requirement as a trial. This also means that comments can be left anonymously - but please consider leaving an identify sign as some kind - even your skateboard.com.au sign-in if you have one. Inflamatory or offensive comments and personal attacks will be deleted or edited.

We look forward to hearing from you.