Skate park opens at Deception Bay

Skaters, scooters, BMXers and rollerbladers were out in force for the official opening of the $1.5 million Deception Bay Skate Park at the weekend.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery says the new and improved park was unveiled at the first ever D Bay Fun Day after a lengthy community consultation process that received hundreds of submissions from locals about the design.

“Council partnered with Deception Bay PCYC and Younity Community Services to put on this event as part of our Youth Week celebrations, and it (also) included the opening of the new PCYC gymnastics area.”
Mayor Flannery says the community enjoyed free come-and-try sessions and workshops for skateboarding and gymnastics, as well as a DJ, jumping castle and face painting.

First for the region

“The Deception Bay Skate Park is the first of a string of skate parks throughout the region which are receiving complete revamps with the aid of the community’s input on design,” he says.

“We’re proud to have delivered something that the community has truly owned from start to finish and now it can be enjoyed for many years to come.”

Councillor Sandra Ruck (Division 5) hopes locals can find a skateboarding, scooter, or BMX passion in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Skate park sports are rocketing into popularity, especially after Australia won gold in the BMX and skateboarding at the Tokyo Olympics, so it’s great to give our locals amazing new facilities to take up those sports,” she says.

“The main goal is participation but with the 2032 games heading to Brisbane, who knows, maybe we could see the next gold medallist coming from Deception Bay.”

Gymnastics upgrade

Police from the Moreton District attended the skate park opening, celebrating the unveiling of the new gymnastics area at the Deception Bay PCYC.

The club, which is managed by Sergeant Jeremy Arato, has more than 1000 members with more than 50,000 visits each year.

It delivers community activities catering for all ages, including gymnastics, judo, pickle ball, badminton, basketball, yoga, and gym and fitness.

The PCYC also plays a lead role in crime prevention by delivering crime prevention programs such as Braking the Cycle, Safer Communities, Boxing, Rise Up Be Yourself (RUBY) and TEAM UP.

Moreton District officer Superintendent John Hallam says PCYCs have an important role to play in the community.

“PCYCs play a key role in bringing our community together by delivering community-based programs that make our community safer and create healthier places to live,” Supt Hallam says.

“Prevention strategies delivered by the PCYC, police and other agencies play a significant role in interrupting criminal trajectories so that vulnerable young people do not get consumed by the criminal justice system and end up in our courts, our watch houses and in our jails.

“This significant investment will not only provide healthy recreational opportunities for families, but also bring a new generation of visitors to the Deception Bay PCYC and the Moreton region.”

Safer surface

Petrie MP Luke Howarth says the Federal Government was pleased to contribute $156,000 to the project.

“I am pleased to be able to deliver this much needed upgrade for the Deception Bay community in conjunction with the Moreton Bay Regional Council,” Mr Howarth says.

“The old skate park was worn down and out of date.

“The concrete used for the new skate park is much smoother and safer, meaning less injuries for skaters, and obstacles designed for both beginners and those more experienced.

“Youth engagement in physical activity is such an important initiative in our communities and the PCYC down at Deception Bay do a great job in keeping young people engaged with positive recreational programs and sporting activities.”