Skaters worry about future of park THE decision to hand over management of the Frankston Skate Park to Peninsula Leisure has drawn criticism from skaters. Late last month, Frankston Council voted to install Peninsula Leisure as manager of the park after a “service review”. It will pay a little more than $1 million for five years of management. Peninsula Leisure is owned by Frankston Council, but operated independently. It manages the Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre. The skate park is currently managed by the Victorian YMCA. Its agreement to manage the park expires on 30 September. Jado O’Donahoo is a frequent user of the skate park. She told The Times she is concerned that the change will affect the youth programs that run at the park. “I have concerns about this decision, given all the youth work that the YMCA does,” she said. “I’m going to launch a campaign, I’m planning to start a petition. “The skate park’s future is not just about skateboarding, this is about the important youth work that’s been done.” O’Donahoo’s petition has garnered nearly 2000 signatures so far. The petition reads “council has done this without any community information, discussion, or representation from those who access this invaluable service. This council decision lacks transparency and inclusivity and has sparked outrage among the skate park’s devoted community.” “The positive impact the YMCA has had throughout the last 16 years of ser-
vice has been ignored and undermined by Frankston City Council. The community needs to be included in this decision, which has such significant consequences for not only the skateboarding community, but the Frankston community as a whole,” the petition reads. A statement from Frankston Council read that entry will remain free, staffed opening hours will be unchanged, and “all the additional programs will also continue – including school holiday programs and free learn to skate lessons.” “Peninsula Leisure will work with the current staff on future employment opportunities. The team will be supported through the process with a view to providing a smooth transition to ensure continuity of service,” council said. “As a staffed and programmed skating/ BMX facility, Frankston City’s Skate Park is a unique offer in south-east Melbourne and council has ensured it will continue operating as it has always done and attracting users from across the region. Peninsula Leisure is a leader in the recreation industry and committed to keeping our community active. This move will see the skate park become an integrated and integral part of the PARC community offer. Council would like to thank the YMCA for the time we have worked together.” Brodie Cowburn
A SKATER at the Frankston Skate Park. Picture: Supplied
GA L L E RY TA L K There are four more weeks of our winter program and your last chance to see Vera Möller’s enchanting and immersive exhibition sea.liquid. sensation.flux.space. This exhibition brings together an array of diverse materials ranging from drawings and watercolours to collages, objects, and paintings and highlights one of the Mornington Peninsula’s most ambitious and visually dynamic artists. The exhibition Layers of Blak from the Koorie Heritage Trust presents the work of 11 Victorian First Nations designers. This exhibition highlights the Koorie Heritage Trust’s industry leading Blak Design Program that supports, promotes and celebrates First Nations cultural innovation within the Victorian design sector while providing a platform for nurturing sustainable, First Nations design practices. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to present this exhibition at MPRG. The countdown is on for the muchanticipated Archibald Prize regional tour from the Art Gallery of New South Wales, opening to the public on Friday 15 September. Tickets are on sale now and we encourage visitors to plan ahead and book early. The
Packing Room Prize 2023 winner, Andrea Huelin Clown Jewels © Cal Wilson
Gallery precinct will be buzzing with our hospitality partners Commonfolk and Dromana Habitat offering a range of food and drink options. The Gallery will be open late on Friday nights and there are also some fantastic public programs in development, so keep an eye out for those. We look forward to welcoming you to the Gallery soon. Danny Lacy MPRG Gallery Director
LOCAL SPORT FOR THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA
HALFTIME HEROES IS AVAILABLE WEEKLY ON-DEMAND FROM THE 3MP APP, APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY OR ONLINE AT
www.halftimeheroes.com.au
mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au Civic Reserve, Dunns Road, Mornington Ph 5950 1580 Frankston Times
15 August 2023
PAGE 3