Premier Colin Barnett in Margaret River to announce Lotterywest grant

The recently awarded funding of $1.39 million will join $650,000 from the Shire as well as a $25,000 pledge from the Margaret River Lions Club. 

The Premier said his three-day visit to the region allowed him to experience what the South West had to offer as well as the challenges faced. 

“The spirit and the buoyancy and the optimism in the area is really quite infectious,” Mr Barnett said. 

“The new youth precinct project will provide a much needed upgrade to the obviously well-used skatepark,” he said with a nod to the young skaters flying through the park behind the Premier. 

“The works will see the creation of an adventure playground, a nature playground where kids can climb trees and doing the things I did as a kid,” he said. 

“In addition, there are thousands of young people in the area during those peak holiday times, and this will also provide a space for them to enjoy.”

Minister Terry Redman said the precinct was an indication that the Margaret River community was passionately supportive of youth development.

“[The precinct] is in one sense a training ground for future surfers and sportspeople who will potentially put Margaret River on the map in years to come,” Mr Redman said. 

Commencement of the $2.7 million youth precinct project will rely on additional funding from the Royalty for Regions Regional Grants Scheme, the Department of Sport & Recreation, the Stronger Communities Program and a number of local community groups. 

Community involvement in the project – expected to include a world class skate bowl among other upgrades - will continue with a concept planning meeting to be held in June to finalise details for the facility.

Shire Community Services Manager Nigel Anderson said the show of support from funding partners was particularly encouraging given the nature of the project, and that local skaters’ views on the plans would be beneficial to the overall result.

 “We are incredibly grateful to receive funding for this very special community project,” he said.

“We have a wealth of valuable knowledge from local skaters with direct experience building skate parks.

The Shire expects to hear back from all proposed funding providers in early 2017. 

Members of the public interested in providing feedback and ideas are invited to join the working group via www.yoursay.amrshire.wa.gov.au.

Plans for the youth precinct are also available on the Shire website.