by Carla Caruso

After delays due to the pandemic, the City Skate Park is now just months away from being finished.

The skate park in Gladys Elphick Park / Narnungga (Park 25) – near the corner of West Terrace and Glover Avenue – has had its completion date set back several times.

Originally due to open in mid-2021, this was pushed back to ‘early 2022’ as the impacts of COVID-19 put pressure on the construction industry.

Now things are rolling again on the $3 million project, jointly funded by the state government and Adelaide City Council.

Extra Federal funding has also meant the original design could be enlarged, with a mini skate bowl added for beginner skateboarders. The park will also cater to those riding BMXs, scooters, and more.

*Construction under way in Gladys Elphick Park / Narnungga (Park 25) this month. Photo: James Elsby.*

Skate park designer Angus Thomas, (pictured) from Melbourne firm Convic says “construction is programmed to complete at the end of June this year, with an official opening to follow”. “Skate park element forming and concrete pouring are currently happening.”

According to Angus, the project will be “an amazing addition to the beautiful Park Lands area”.

“All elements in the design have been derived through thorough community consultation and we are very excited to see how the public use components they have suggested, and link connections to others,” Angus says.

“Standout components are the concrete cradle within the advanced [skateboarders’] bowl area, and [the] overall paving and material palette, which reflects the iconic Adelaide Festival Plaza.”

*Architect Angus Thomas says the project’s Park Lands setting is “unique”. Photo: James Elsby.*

Construction on the project began in February 2021.

The facility replaces a previous skate park - in Park Lands off North Terrace - which was demolished in 2015 to make way for new university buildings.

*The old skate park in Park Lands off North Terrace, demolished in 2015.*

A temporary skate park was installed off Wakefield Road in King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina (Park 15). But users have complained about its unsuitability, including a lack of toilets.

Angus says the new skate park will be worth the wait. Consultation began back in 2014. “This regional-sized facility will offer a street plaza and advanced competition bowl arrangement, different from any other in SA,” he says.

*The new skate park borders West Terrace, opposite Hindley Street, in Gladys Elphick Park (Park 25). Photo: James Elsby.*

“The skate plaza arrangement will emulate the experience of skating through the city’s urban environment, with the advanced competition bowl built to Olympic sizes and specifications.

“Also, integrating within its Park Lands setting, the facility nestles amongst several significant, heritage-listed trees.

“This will immediately establish the skate park and allow its users to enjoy the natural beauty of its unique location within the Park Lands.”

The project’s concept designs were unveiled in October 2020 with this three-minute video.

When APA visited the construction site this month, there were also a few tents dotted nearby, erected by those experiencing homelessness.