Pizzey Park skate bowl redesign

There was a time when the Gold Coast attracted top skaters from across the globe, during the 1980s, when Pizzey Park had the likes of Tony Hawk drop into what was known as ‘the deathbowl’.

Since the skateboard bowl was first carved out, the park has had some extensions to include a second smaller bowl and other street features.

Now there are new plans for an extension to the park that once hosted national and international competitions and events.

California Skateparks founder and CEO Joe Ciaglia is in Australia consulting with local skaters about his draft designs for the park after he was asked to design a street-styled plaza.

“This one’s just a little bit different in the fact that it’s got more stairs and rails and it’s a little more progressive to challenge skaters,” he said.

“Here in Australia you have two professional skaters, Tommy Flynn and Shane O’Neill, that are potentially going to be Olympic athletes, obviously competing in competitions.

“So we tried to design this course in a way that kids that might want to possibly see themselves there, and be able to practice and learn how to skate at that little bit of a higher level.

Mr Ciaglia said the designs included “beginner and intermediate-style stuff”, but provided new challenges for top-level competitors as well.

“Everyone’s happy with what exists here, it’s got a lot of iconic history, so it’s just an expansion for having more opportunities,” he said.

Key points

• A California Skateparks designer says the designs include “beginner and intermediate-style stuff” and new challenges for top-level competitors
• It takes into consideration parents attending the park with young kids, providing them facilities and shade
• The draft plans will likely be next discussed at meetings soon after the Gold Coast City Council elections

Source
Solua Middleton
ABC News