LIAM O’Connell wants to have his local skatepark upgraded and installed with lighting so more people can enjoy the space and to bring business to Gungahlin.

The 21-year-old BMX rider says going to the skatepark is an important outlet for physical and mental health for many people, however without lighting, opportunities to use the facilities are limited.

“Lights would allow more kids to spend time at the skatepark, especially because they’re at school during the day for most of the week,” he says.

“For those in the workforce like myself who don’t finish until around 4.30 or 5, that doesn’t give enough time before the sun goes down

“That’s especially the case in the cooler months when the sun goes down quicker.”

The Gungahlin and Erindale Skateparks are the only two of the seven major skateparks in Canberra that are unlit.

The five others in Belconnen, Civic, Woden, Weston and Tuggeranong are all lit until 10pm.

He believes that installing lighting and providing more opportunity to use the space for longer would have significant benefits for many people’s wellbeing.

“Going to the skatepark is an outlet,” he says.

“For many people going to the skatepark is a way to relieve stress and get your mind off things so to have that available to those who need it would be a really valuable thing.

“I’ve talked to a lot of people across the skating scene, BMX riders, skateboarders, scooter riders and they love the idea of having the park refurbished.

“There’s a wide range of ages who use the park, from age four through to 40, and from the conversations I’ve had even the young ones are really excited about the idea of seeing this happen.”

Liam also says that upgrading the skatepark has the potential to bring major business to the Gungahlin area.

ACT JAM, one of Australia’s biggest BMX events, is held every year in Canberra over three days and brings hundreds of visitors to the capital to watch some of the best riders in the country compete.

While the event moves around year-by-year, it hasn’t been held at the Gungahlin Skatepark due to a lack of appropriate facilities.

Liam believes that Gungahlin hosting ACT JAM could be a boon for the suburb.

“It would be a great opportunity for Gungahlin, with upgrades that allowed ACT JAM to go ahead, it’d bring in visitors from not only Australia but from around the world,” he says.

“Nearby businesses would be visited for meals and drinks, which would be great to see.”

Liam has taken his ideas to the ACT government and has now become the leader of a petition to see his vision for the skatepark realised. 

He’s been inspired by the Friends of Yerrabi Pond, a local residents group who have been pushing to see Gungahlin’s main water feature and the surrounding area brought up to par with the rest of Canberra.

The skatepark, just nearby Yerrabi Pond, was first built 20 years ago but, according to Liam, is beginning to show its age.

He says there are some cracks in the concrete, which if left unattended could become a hazard.

“Looking at its condition, some of the concrete is starting to crack and if that gets worse it can easily become a danger for skaters and riders,” he says.

“We want people to have a safe environment here and with new lighting it could be the perfect opportunity for some upgrades as well.”

Sign the petition here.