Jett Ramus, 6, wants a place to skateboard! Backing his call (from left) is Cranbourne Blue Light Disco committee president Debbie Nobbs, Councillor Lorraine Wreford and Cr Steve Beardon. The Save Our Shed campaigners have collected more than 1200 signatures on their petitions.
By Glen Atwell
HUNDREDS of Casey residents are putting pen to petition as the fight intensifies to save Cranbourne’s skate boarding venue, The Shed.
More than 1200 people have signed the ‘Save Our Shed’ petition, circulated to local schools and community groups by Casey councillors Steve Beardon, Lorraine Wreford and Cranbourne Blue Light Disco committee president Debbie Nobbs.
The signed petitions will be presented to Casey Council on Tuesday night.
Cr Beardon said the pages of signatures were a clear demonstration of The Shed’s popularity.
“More than a thousand people, from all over Casey, have signed the petition urging council to keep The Shed a dedicated skate facility.”
Council will be asked to take the petition into consideration during future negotiations with the community groups vying for a slice of The Shed’s space.
The Shed, Victoria’s only indoor skate board and BMX facility, shut last December after operating for 14 years.
“The petition will show private operators that this venture is viable, and will encourage them to initiate discussions with the council,” Cr Beardon said.
Cranbourne Blue Light Disco committee president Debbie Nobbs believes The Shed is a vital resource for young people in Cranbourne.
“It provides one of the few, supervised, affordable recreation options that assist in keeping young people off the street. I have been discussing this issue with the community and there is overwhelming support for the reopening of The Shed. No-one I have spoken with has said that they feel Cranbourne would be better off without this facility, and many have stated that since the loss of the Cranbourne cinemas, we cannot afford to lose another facility that provides for our youth,” Ms Nobbs said.
Cranbourne mother Jennifer Ramus agrees, and said her two sons, Jett and Beau, had been left with little to do since The Shed closed.
“It was one of the very few entertainment outlets for the kids,” she said.
“They closed the cinemas, and then they closed The Shed. Unless you’re interested in playing sport, there’s not much for the children to do.”
Ms Ramus said Jett and Beau had been involved in more fights since The Shed closed and had resorted to visiting other outdoor skate ramps, in Merinda Park and Narre Warren.
“Last year, they’d be at The Shed on the weekends, now they’re roaming the streets with nothing to do, and getting into fights. I’d prefer them to be supervised. In summer, the outdoor ramps are too hot, and in winter it rains and the kids can’t skate on them. The indoor facility was perfect.”
City of Casey director of planning and development services Peter Fitchett told the News feedback from users of the building would be sought to determine the best possible layout.
“The Shed is housed in a large building which is also home to The Factory – Rehearsal Centre for the Arts,” he said.
“The success of The Factory has meant it is in need of additional space for its performing arts activities. Council will seek feedback from users of the building so that it can determine the best possible building layout to successfully accommodate both users of The Factory and skaters, at the same location.
“Council, through its Skate Strategy, acknowledges that The Shed has been a highly valued, iconic skate facility providing important recreation activities for young people in Casey.”
A decision at last week’s council meeting delayed any decisions regarding the future of The Shed until after a period of community consultation.
Several arts groups had pushed for a section of The Shed to be allocated for their own use.
Cr Beardon said no decision would be made until a report came back to council.
“A drama group will be given a short term, three month lease to rehearse in The Shed until a report comes back to council with recommendations,” he said.
“By that stage, hopefully we’ll have an operator committed and locked in to reopen The Shed.”
