Central Coast Council has officially opened the new regional skatepark and BMX track at Umina’s Peninsula Recreation and Active Lifestyle Precinct, completing the $8million upgrade, which also included a new basketball court, bouldering climbing unit, two sports amenities buildings, new cricket practice nets, futsal court, shared and connective pathways, plus access road and carpark upgrade.

Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart said this milestone follows a shared journey with the community, including Umina Community Group and local sporting clubs that have driven these much-wanted upgrades and participated in its design.

“Over 640 people completed surveys during community engagement activities in 2018 which provided input into the planning of the developed skate park and precinct improvements,” Mr Hart Said. 

“We’re thankful to the Australian Government for their investment in our region and their funding that has enabled Council to deliver a revitalised, functional, accessible, and improved sporting and recreation infrastructure for the Peninsula.”

This multi-year project was delivered in five stages. Stage one works commenced early 2022, with the subsequent stages progressing throughout 2022 to 2024.

Skatepark, BMX track

• This new regional skatepark, is one of the largest on Central Coast designed to cater for a broad range of wheeled sport disciplines and different riding abilities from beginner to advanced, and now suitable to host competitions. The park includes a unique advanced deep bowl and mini beginner bowl plus street elements. Works also included the installation of new recreational infrastructure including park furniture, shelters, water refill station, connective pathways and landscaping.
• The new BMX Track is also designed to also cater for a broad range of wheeled sport disciplines and different riding abilities from beginner to advanced, and the track has a high-quality asphalt finish surface.
• Both spaces have competition standard lighting installed, which extend the hours of use.

Basketball court

• The existing half basketball court was demolished and replaced with a full-size basketball court and flood lights have been installed on a timer to allow extended use of the new facilities year round.

Bouldering climbing units

• Council funded the additional installation of a new playspace area with two colourful bouldering climbing units with rubber softfall base. The larger combined bouldering unit also has ropes and can accommodate a large number of older children, with the second smaller climbing structure suitable for younger children.

Umina Tennis facilities upgrade with futsal court

• Works included the replacement of the building’s roof and installation of a new synthetic surface for court five to create a dedicated futsal court.

Two new sportsground amenities buildings, (Etta Road and Melbourne Ave)  

• Works included the demolition of the existing aged amenities buildings and the construction of two significantly improved and accessible facilities for the benefit of the local rugby league, cricket and soccer groups that use these popular sports fields. 
• The new Melbourne Ave amenities incorporates unisex, ambulant and accessible toilets, two changerooms, one canteen and store, two storage rooms and one clubroom.
• The new amenities building at Etta Road also incorporates unisex, ambulant and accessible toilets, plus four changerooms, one referee room, canteen and store, storage room, and clubroom.  Each site also has utility service upgrades and new accessible pathways so everyone can participate.  

Cricket Practice Nets

• Reconstruction of the three cricket practice nets adjacent to the Melbourne Ave amenities building.

Sydney Ave parking and pathway upgrade 

• Construction of a new shared path on the western side of Sydney Avenue (adjacent to the skatepark), two new accessible car spaces, upgrade of car park, located alongside beach access points near the caravan park (with around 50 additional spaces), and construction of a formalised concrete pedestrian pathway, which connects the new formalised car park to the caravan park and recreational precinct.
• Reconstruction of the access road from Sydney Avenue to Ocean Beach Caravan Park, including provision of a new below ground stormwater drainage infrastructure to address existing ponding and flooding in Sydney Avenue, additional parallel parking spaces, and the upgrade of pedestrian crossings with a raised crossing with pedestrian lighting. This latest scope of works was entirely funded by Council and was outside the original plan but was deemed essential to provide benefits to the community.

These upgrades have significantly improved inclusion and accessibility with new accessible disabled parking spaces on Sydney Ave, shared pedestrian pathways surrounding the facility have been extended. widened and designed to be disability compliant, construction of individual ramps to both the BMX and skatepark to provide disability compliant access for spectators and carers, inclusion of accessible toilets at the sports amenities and ramp access to the Melbourne Ave building.

Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the upgrades have enhanced the recreational and sporting offerings at this popular precinct and improved accessibility.

“Council is passionate about providing safe and engaging outdoor spaces for our community to promote healthy and active lifestyles and to help create connected communities – and I believe this has been achieved,” Ms Smith said.  

“These upgrades, which have rolled out consecutively over multiple years since 2022, have enhanced and complemented the already popular regional playspace and quality sports fields, and will also attract thousands of visitors to the Peninsula each year and support local businesses.

“I’m proud of our staff’s management of this major upgrade and excited to see this inclusive space being enjoyed by all ages.”

The Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP has welcomed the completion of the $8 million project.

“I would like to thank the Peninsula community for being patient as construction work took place across the precinct over the past few years.

“The upgraded Peninsula Recreation Precinct looks outstanding, and I am sure will be loved by all for years to come.

“My thanks also to Central Coast Council and all the phenomenal workers who have been involved with this project since day one.

“Particularly, the Umina Community Group, who were instrumental in calling for this upgrade”, Dr Reid said.

This project has been funded by the Australian Government with $8,250,000 from the Community Development Grants Programme and Central Coast Council, with a contribution from the Umina Community Group.  

Main photo caption: Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid with Administrator Rik Hart, members from the Umina Community Group, and local skateboarder Harvey Nitsos