Belconnen Skate Park

Google map re: -35.238998 149.07106
Sites: 77 Emu Bank Belconnen ACT 2617 as address.

AMENITIES
There are toilets, a drinking fountain and one rubbish bin located at the top end of the park adjoining pay parking on what's called Soundy Close. There is one bin at the other end of the park closest to Lake Ginninderra College. There is also parking at the school out of school hours. There is a shade structure and tiered seating around the big keyhole bowl at the top end of the park. The whole park is lit at night until approximately 10pm.

SHOPS
McDonalds is at the Lake G College end of the park. Subway, another take away shop and Crust pizza are on Soundy Close. The Lighthouse bar and bottle shop is on the other side of these shops. Further up Emu Bank is a range of restaurants and food shops.

MORE DETAILS
Old Park: http://www.skateboard.com.au/v2/index.cfm?id=13&smithgrind=view
New Park: http://www.skateboard.com.au/v2/index.cfm?smithgrind=view&id=2052

HISTORY
Belconnen Skate Park was first opened in 1990. At it's time it was world class including an 11ft keyhole bowl, a 10ft vert ramp, a doughnut bowl, snake run, jump ramps, crater and mini ramp. It was host to a range of huge events and demo's, including one of Australia's longest running bowl comps, the infamous Belco Bowl Jam.

In 2011, under combined local and federal government monies, the park underwent a $2 million upgrade with the old park being demolished. The only iconic feature retained was the keyhole bowl. Convic Design facilitated the consultation process in conjunction with ACT Government. The Canberra Skateboarding Association was a massive part of the design process in conjunction with the Backbone BMX crew. The park was built by skateboarders, the Concrete Skate Parks crew, and was re-opened in July 2011.

At its opening the skatepark is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere at 2860m2. There is over 500 m3 and approximately 1000 tonnes of concrete.

Since it's opening, Belconnen Skate Park has already hosted a number of international touring demonstrations from skateboarding professionals including Creature Skateboards and Supra Shoes teams. There have been a range of competitions including national events such as Skateboarding Australia's Amateur Series ACT qualifier and Volcom's Wild in the Parks series final. Volcom's WITP was the first time the event had been held in Canberra. It is testament to the quality of the Belconnen Skatepark.

A piece was painted in the keyhole bowl and a plaque installed to honour the memory of Todd Webster, a significantly influential Canberran skateboarder. A memorial Belco Bowl Jam is held in Todd's memory because he loved to skate the bowl. The Canberra Skateboarding Association and Canberra Region Old Skool Skaters spend their own time and money to maintain the bowl to a suitable standard.

PROGRAMS
Free Skateboard coaching clinics are running regularly at Belconnen.
Regular competitions are also being run.
See: www.canberraskateboarding.org