Dubbo could become the "skater city of NSW" if only it had shade, but there should be no need to spend $750,000 on it, the mother of a young enthusiast said.
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Kellie Shipp asked the city's leaders not to drop shade for the Dubbo skate park structure from its list of projects.
Instead she urged Dubbo City Council to find a less expensive alternative to make the skate park attractive for competitions all year round.
There was a chance to turn the "unique asset" with its sought-after full pipe into a money spinner, Mrs Shipp said.
As she offered on behalf of a foreshadowed skate park association to fundraise, she found sympathetic ears in the council chamber recently.
Councillors had previously rejected spending $750,000 - the estimated cost of a preferred shade option - but some had recognised it as a worthy goal.
They recommended revisiting the question of sun protection at the $400,000 facility in coming budget sessions.
Mrs Shipp, together with Dubbo Men's Shed member Kevin Sinclair, increased the momentum of the issue.
Hundreds of young people used the skate park regularly, but as a cement and steel structure the heat there was at times unbearable, they said.
Councillors had a lengthy debate about how to put the project on the agenda until Cr Tina Reynolds asked for the quickest way. General manager Mark Riley advised that it would be to request him to undertake the necessary design work for a shade structure and to update the budget review for the December quarter.
"Then that's our amendment, I support it 110 per cent," Cr Reynolds said. Her colleagues evidently shared her sentiments, voting for the proposal.
faye.wheeler@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Break out
Almost 20 riders have already signed up to compete at Dubbo's skate park early next year.
They and scores of other young people attended the first registration day at the facility on Saturday.
The 19 riders aged 9 to 19 years became the first entrants in a competition to be held on February 23.
Kellie Shipp, who spoke as an "adult voice" for the group told Dubbo City Council they hoped the event would be the start of something bigger.
"The talent is incredible," she said.
They will host two more registration days before the competition.
