closer and closer

The finish is in sight. The place is taking form. This week we'll see lots of progress on site and even start to see seating and shelters going at the end of the week.

The rain has slowed things down a little, the cold on the weekend didn't help much either. It isn't fun working in sleet , the Convic team report. We are expecting to take down the fences on October 14th, all going well. The last part of the job is applying a special finish to sections of the banks which Convic tell us will make the park even better.

We do need to make sure people keep out of the park until the fences are down and the site is open for use. If anyone gets into the site earlier safety inspectors from Work Cover will close the site while an investigation is undertaken, a report filed and changes made to secure the site further. This will mean it will take at least two weeks longer to open it - so if you hear of anyone keen to sneak in tell them how bad an idea it is - for everyone.

There was a great article in the paper on the weekend - take a look here on the new Canberra Skateboarding Association website canberraskateboarding.org

Week 6 - Mud

If it hadn't started raining we would have been up to the skate park transitions by now - but now these next few days which will involve a lot of pumping of water and lots and lots of mud.

This is what it looked like on the weekend.

(photos from Luke Brown)

Week 5

Construction on site at the beginning of week 5 is moving along at a cracking pace. The flat areas along the top and copings are in place - and don't they look fantastic?

The transitions and banks are currently being excavated, with concrete for these going in very soon. Now that all the lower areas have been dug out our greatest fear is that it starts raining and they fill with water, which will slow construction down.

Rain is forecast for later this week - hopefully if it does come it will only be a dusting.

Progress

Time for a progress report.


The bulk earthworks, drainage and electrical conduiting is almost finished. It is starting to take shape, though doesn't look much like anything recognisable at the moment.



Convic are on site and have commenced construction. The first concrete pour should be later this week.

Launch

Canberra turned on the perfect day to launch a youth plaza.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope MLA spoke about how good it was to have one of these marvellous facilities in Canberra and thanked Minister Albanese for the Federal Government funding.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government The Hon Anthony Albanese, MP (on the right) congratulated all involved in getting to this point and talked about the Nation Building Program creating jobs in these uncertain times.

Canberra Skateboarding Association president Luke Brown coped very well being put on the spot by media, with no time to prepare.

An tour of the site was organised where we were able to show plans of what a fantastic facility that will be to Minister Albanese.

The project had good coverage on WIN news last night. Luke Brown and Lea Durie were also interviewed on ABC local radio yesterday where Luke was very articulate and Lea wished she was.

And while building continues we have our first day of wet weather, which will slow things up unfortunately, but not for long.

And this week we start planning the official opening for the beginning of November and are still keen to hear your ideas. Do you want a comp, a clinic, both, know of a good band to play etc etc?

Come along Monday

Come along one and all to the Official Project Launch on Monday at 10am.

You all deserve it.

There will be food.

There will be construction.

There will be some short speeches by the Chief Minister Jon Stanhope MLA and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government The Hon Anthony Albanese, MP (the funding body)

Monday August 10th at Eddison Park.

We hope to see you there.

First Construction Photo

Working on the drainage lines yesterday.