The safety upgrade comes as an addition to the skate park’s redevelopment that is currently underway.  

Ararat Skate Park Improvement Committee member Shane Allgood said the installation of a security system was driven by the feedback received from concerned parents. 

“I am a policeman and I get feedback from parents who want to have confidence to let their children go down to the skate park and be assured they are going to be okay,” he said.

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“We have not had a great amount of problems at the skate park, but we have had some issues over the years, which could have been easily rectified with some CCTV footage.” 

Mr Allgood said the redevelopment has focused on creating a safe environment for children to visit. 

“The problem with the old skate park was the original location – there was an old toilet block there that was a bit out of the way,” he said. 

“In the course of improving the skate park we have had the toilet block knocked down because it was a meting point for many undesirable people and that has now been taken away. 

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“We want to make it as safe as possible and the next logical step was the cameras.” 

Mr Allgood said the just under $20,000 was raised to get the security system up-and-running. He said the additional fundraising efforts was a challenge. 

“In the course of raising that money we approached Ararat Community Enterprises and they donated an extra $10,000,” he said. “The remaining money was raised from a donation by the Pitch Music Festival and also our own fundraising efforts.” 

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Mr Allgood said the installation of the security system has already started. He said he hoped the project will be completed before the skate park reopens. 

“We are trying to get the CCTV cameras installed before the park opens. It is unclear on whether it’s possible at this stage,” he said. “But, we are confident that it can happen and if it doesn’t then it will be shortly after that.”

Mr Allgood said the community’s tireless efforts should be applauded because they made the redevelopment and security cameras possible.