Proposed design revealed for Albany’s Youth Challenge Park, featuring massive pump track

The City of Albany has unveiled the proposed design of its new Youth Challenge Park featuring a “state of the art” pump track and revamped skate park. The youth hub, announced in July last year, would be situated behind the PCYC on Sanford Road, incorporating the existing skate park and playing field. Scheduled for completion by mid-next year, City chief executive Andrew Sharpe said the project would boost tourism to the “entire Great Southern region” and increase opportunities for youth and sports events. The City has secured more than $1.4 million in State and Federal Government funding to develop the park in a bid to boost physical and mental health across the community. Mr Sharpe said the City had worked with consultants and the community to develop the design elements, including a “state of the art pump track and high quality skate park”. It is understood the Albany pump track would be one of the biggest in Australia, capable of hosting State competitions. “The Youth Challenge Park project will implement a contemporary, well-designed active sports arena that includes dirt jumps, a skate plaza, skate path, ledges, stairs, rails and a skills space landscape that caters for people of all ages and expertise,” he said. “The precinct aims to engage with our young people to create youth spaces where they can socialise with friends and feel a sense of worth and pride within the Albany community.” Mr Sharpe said the City planned to see the project finished by mid-2021. “The City will continue to engage with community stakeholders as it prepares to go out to tender for the construction of the project in the coming months, with the aim for construction to begin in early 2021,” he said.