Taradale Youth Space now open
Published on 08 May 2024
Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting young community members to visit the brand-new youth space in Taradale.
The Taradale Youth Space is the result of a partnership between local community, Council and the State Government, and saw the transformation of the old tennis court into an interactive youth space.
Community organisation, the Taradale Community Forum played a vital part in delivering this project when they consulted with young people in the community and brought the idea to Council during budget time.
The accessible and inclusive space, which is now open to the public, includes a concrete pump track with a skateboard concrete hump; a basketball/soccer fusion unit; a hit-up wall; and a new acrylic playing surface.
The new playground has a safe crossing link to the Taradale Mineral Spring Park via a wombat crossing (similar to a zebra crossing but incorporates a speed hump).
Still to come to further improve the play area is a new picnic setting and additional seating.
Steve Ebbott, a member of the Taradale Community Forum, said that the concept started with members of the community seeing a need for the old tennis court to be transformed into a youth space.
“Councillor Christine Henderson, Colleen Jones and I sat with a group of kids from Taradale on the old tennis court and asked them what they wanted to see there,” said Steve.
“There were lots of great ideas which we put down on post-it notes.
“There was one girl that I remember in particular who said: You can’t roller skate in a paddock!
“And that was a really good point. Most of these kids live on acreage and aren’t anywhere near footpaths, and they need somewhere to skate, ride and shoot hoops,” he said.
The project commenced construction in March 2023 with the refurbishment of the shed at the site, and has been open to the public from May with a few finishing touches to come in June.
“I drove past the youth space on the weekend, and some of the kids saw me and called me over. They said: Steve, this is so fun!
“That made it all worthwhile.”
Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Mayor, Councillor Matthew Driscoll, said that Council is proud to have delivered this project with the Taradale community.
“The youth space is now up-and-running, and it looks amazing,” said Mayor Driscoll.
“I’d like to thank the Taradale community for their initiative in bringing this idea to Council last year.
“We’ve created a vibrant, accessible and inclusive space for our young people to spend time together while being active and getting some fresh air.
“This is a fantastic example of how Council and the community can work together to create positive change in our community.”
Mount Alexander Shire Council acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government through Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.