The skatepark at Kiama Leisure Centre is likely to be demolished under a new master plan for the area. In its place, a brand-new synthetic running track is set to be built. Thankfully, plans are underway to construct a new skatepark in a more central location, either on the parkland in front of Kiama Surf Beach or at Black Beach Reserve.

So, is this a win or a loss for local skaters?

We spoke with Kiama local Mark Woolley, father of Kieran Woolley – a young Olympian who competed in the Paris 2024 Games. Mark raised concerns about “the small size of the replacement park at a time when they should be getting bigger.”

However, not everyone is against the changes. Local skater Orlando Harvey said, “It’s definitely time for a new park.” The master plan report notes that the current skatepark is hard to access, lacks visibility, and has limited amenities that are only open at certain times.

When the concerns about the size of the park was raised with Harvey, he simply responded with, “we will take what we can get”. His greater focus was on the location of the proposed skatepark, “it’d be an awesome spot, right on Surf Beach”

So, does size matter? Or is it location? Well, I guess it depends on who you ask.

Check out the masterplan drafts for the Kiama Leisure Centre and have your say on the proposed plans via the Kiama Municipal Council website or via the link here.