The youth of Dimboola and Rainbow are abuzz with excitement following the completion of the new skateparks in each town, both of which will be officially opened this week to coincide with school holidays and the lead up to 2018 Youth Week.

Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor Cr Ron Ismay said "Hindmarsh Shire Council will officially open the new Rainbow and Dimboola skateparks during the April school holidays. The Rainbow skatepark will be officially opened on Monday 9 April, while the Dimboola skatepark will be officially opened at 12.00 noon on Tuesday 10 April."

As a mark of respect following the passing and funeral of well-known Rainbow resident Ewan Christian, the official opening of the Rainbow skatepark has been rescheduled from the previously advertised time of 12.00 noon to 1.00 pm on Monday 9 April 2018.
Rainbow Skatepark Opening - Monday 9 April - 1 pm
Dimboola Skatepark Opening - Tuesday 10 April - 12 noon

"As both skateparks have been supported and included in the 2016-2020 Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council Strategy, we want the openings to be a fun-filled day with plenty of entertainment for our youth rather than just a formal opening."

"With the assistance of funding through the Freeza program, both events will include a BBQ lunch, music by a local DJ, skateboard demonstrations followed by a workshop and competition that will provide giveaways and prizes at the conclusion of official proceedings," Cr Ismay said.

To take part in the competition a signed waiver and consent form will need to be signed by all participants prior to the event. Participants aged under 15 years of age will require signed parental consent.

The skateboard demonstration and workshop will be conducted by representatives of Melbourne based skateboarding service and education provider Ownlife which was started by Richard Flude in 2014 to share his passion of the sport. Richard has also spent four years with the Australian Sports Commission's skateboarding branch as National Development Manager and is on the Board of the Victorian Skateboarding Association.

Cr Ismay encourages parents, children and youth to come to either or both events as there will some fantastic entertainment and action.

"It will be a great way to launch the skate parks for Dimboola and Rainbow."

The Dimboola skatepark is located in the Dimboola Recreation Reserve near the sports stadium and Riverside Holiday Park while the Rainbow skatepark is at The Oasis in the former Primary School site on King Street.

These skateparks have been funded through the Victorian Government's Sport and Recreation Victoria Community Sports Infrastructure Program 2017 / 2018 and Hindmarsh Shire Council.

For any further enquiries please contact Hindmarsh Shire Council's Youth and Early Years Officer, Meg Hall, on 5391 4444 or email youth@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au, or by finding Hindmarsh Shire Council or Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council on Facebook.