An important milestone in constructing Lismore’s new $3.9 million Lismore Skatepark will be reached this week, with the pouring of 2400m2 of concrete.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg and State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin were on hand to inspect the works.

“This is starting to get very real,” Mayor Krieg said.   

“This will be a game-changer for our young people who will no longer have to travel to Goonellabah to have a skate. It will also be built to such a high standard that we can host national and international competitions, adding to Lismore’s already strong reputation for having the best sporting facilities in regional NSW.”

The facility includes both ‘street’ and ‘park’ (bowl) sections and a covered mini ramp, which is eagerly anticipated by the local skater community. The design also includes a rail paying tribute to the late Travis Watson, an avid skater, mentor and advocate for skating in Lismore and the wider community.

(Deputy Mayor Jeri Hall, her daughter Willow, Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin and Mayor Steve Krieg)

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said Travis, a dear friend, successful businessman and gifted skater, would be stoked to see his vision of a modern and user-friendly skatepark becoming a reality as part of a Youth Precinct.

“This landmark project for Lismore is fully funded by the NSW Government with $3.9 million delivered under Round 2 of the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund,” Ms Saffin said.

“I have backed in our new, centrally located skatepark from the very beginning, working with Travis and others to ensure our skating community had a big say in the design so that it works for them.

“I have faith that expert contractors CONVIC will produce a skatepark which will attract elite skaters in future competitions and also be accessible for local youth keen to take up the sport.”

The design was developed by CONVIC, Australia’s leading skatepark and youth space design and construction company, in consultation with the Council and the Lismore community.

CONVIC ran several community workshops in September 2023 as part of the design development process. Throughout the design stage, it also extensively consulted with key local stakeholders in the skate and riding community. 

Additionally, CONVIC consulted with professional skaters, coaches, and event organisers, including Olympic skateboarding judge Renton Millar, to ensure the skatepark could attract and host competitions and training events while meeting the local community's needs.

Mayor Krieg said Council is close to finalising negotiations to bring several national skating events to Lismore.

“This new skatepark will benefit our local businesses as those playing or coming to watch these events spend money in our city, whether it’s at our motels, restaurants, clothing stores or other retailers.”

“With skating now an Olympic event, and many world-class skaters coming from our region, a new skate park will be another string in our bow to attract even more visitors.”

The new Lismore Skatepark has so many benefits to the community apart from bringing major events and tourists to Lismore, it will bring people into the CBD on a regular basis. Skaters, bladers and bike riders from 3 to 18 will be using new facility with plenty or nearby and on-street parking available.

One of the main community concerns was building the skatepark in an area that will receive a lot of rain, and is one of the first areas in Lismore to flood.

Shannon McNamara from CONVIC explained to the Lismore App that there is about 400 millimetres of ballast rock throughout the whole park below the concrete about to be poured.

(An example of a metre of rock that is below the concrete at the Lismore Skatepark)

"So any water that is coming into this park is going through that rock layer and into your drains and away and out. In most parks, we don't have this rock layer. So that's the problem we get with the water. All water will go into that rock layer before it can possibly come up through the ground. So as for mediation, water mediation, this is on a good site.

Shannon also confirmed that concrete is a water-resistant product that will survive if it is underwater.

"You'll get 10-15 years out of this without defects. Obviously, if we're having floods up and down, up and down and over time, it's going to squish up a bit, but this ground is the hardest ground I've ever hit in my life. I'll give you a hammer, and you try to bang one of those pegs in, it's impossible.

"As for water and resilience, this is the best one I've seen in my 10 years was CONVIC. I've never seen a mediated park like this ever. And we always have problems with water coming through. So, after many years of telling them we need to rock the whole park. Don't fight water at the drain. Fight it before it comes in.

CONVIC have built many skateparks around Australia, in fact, they have just finished one at Byron Bay. Jarjumirr Park is where keen local skateboarders go from all over the Northern Rivers. However, that will change at the end of June 2025, when the Lismore Skatepark is expected to be open for business.

(The recently opened Jarjumirr Park at Byron Bay. Photo: CONVIC)