5 October 2012

Save Kambah Halfpipe!

| johnboy
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kambah halfpipe

On Tuesday we were intrigued by FOI’d deliberations on the future of the Kambah halfpipe.

Yesterday Skateboarding Australia weighed in with a campaign to save the apparently unique facility:

There was no consultation with the Canberra Skateboarding Association about this idea. To our knowledge there was no consultation with any skateboarders. We want to save the U-pipe because:

– It is an icon and part of Canberra’s skateboarding history

– We plan to run further events to pay tribute to the challenging features of the U-pipe

– It is a minimal cost to maintain

– Other skateparks in Canberra have similar terrain that are maintained due to the aspect of being challenging to ride and not a safety risk

To our knowledge there has been no incident of anyone falling in. It is fenced and has stairs down to the roll in so that people can’t get “stuck” inside it.

We look forward to hearing from election candidates as to their views on the halfpipe.

Game on!

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How_Canberran7:32 pm 09 Oct 12

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

New Yeah said :

I remember in the early to mid-80s watching local booners ride their BMXs in and out of this halfpipe, the flannies tied around their waists flapping as gracefully as their flowing mullets as they launched themselves into the clean Kambah air.

Nothing between them and a painful rendevous with the concrete except a dodgily welded BMX and a gullet full of booner bravado.

Any candidate who wants to get rid of the half pipe is destroying a part of Canberra’s suburban history and, dare I say it, probably a bit of a tool to boot.

Sadly the bogan/boomer element is a part of Canberran history

C’mon people! Just look at the late twentieth century brutalist style curves, the hieroglyphic musings of decades past. Surely there is a PhD thesis in there somewhere!

How Canberran

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd5:55 pm 09 Oct 12

New Yeah said :

I remember in the early to mid-80s watching local booners ride their BMXs in and out of this halfpipe, the flannies tied around their waists flapping as gracefully as their flowing mullets as they launched themselves into the clean Kambah air.

Nothing between them and a painful rendevous with the concrete except a dodgily welded BMX and a gullet full of booner bravado.

Any candidate who wants to get rid of the half pipe is destroying a part of Canberra’s suburban history and, dare I say it, probably a bit of a tool to boot.

Sadly the bogan/boomer element is a part of Canberran history

TAMSMediaRoom5:41 pm 09 Oct 12

Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) wishes to advise there has been no decision made about the future of the Kambah skate bowl. TAMS will undertake a thorough safety assessment of the skate bowl to identify any issues and potential solutions. Following this safety review TAMS will consult with the community on any proposed changes to the site.

I remember in the early to mid-80s watching local booners ride their BMXs in and out of this halfpipe, the flannies tied around their waists flapping as gracefully as their flowing mullets as they launched themselves into the clean Kambah air.

Nothing between them and a painful rendevous with the concrete except a dodgily welded BMX and a gullet full of booner bravado.

Any candidate who wants to get rid of the half pipe is destroying a part of Canberra’s suburban history and, dare I say it, probably a bit of a tool to boot.

How_Canberran said :

– It is an icon and part of Canberra’s skateboarding history

That’s right, slap a heritage listing on it due to it’s boganian epoch links.

How canberran to make such a comment…..

threepaws said :

Rach_13 said :

Would hate to see it go!

Would like to see people using it!

You mean for activities other than underage drinking, underage smoking, drug use, sex or a massive urinal ???

I grew up in Canberra, and this “u-pipe” was one of the earliest bits of kit that I tried my hand at. I eventually moved on to downhilling, but these facilities are still important. It’s a shame when things are removed or demolished just because only a few people use it – simply because it’s a unique and challenging ramp. It’ll never be ‘busy’, but that doesn’t mean it should be discarded. Managed well, it can still be an important piece of infrastructure. Here in Brisbane where I am now, we have a similar issue with the Inala Bowl at DJ Sherrington Park – neglected by Brisbane City Council simply because they don’e understand or appreciate its value to skaters. Props to SbA for their campaigns to save both these facilities.

We used to play soccer in here in primary school.

Most of the activites in the playground are so dummed down its a wonder anyone ever uses it.

How_Canberran5:56 pm 05 Oct 12

– It is an icon and part of Canberra’s skateboarding history

That’s right, slap a heritage listing on it due to it’s boganian epoch links.

Funny that at a time when we’re all whingeing about overweight kids we might close a facility than allows them to get exercise in a way they actually like.

An interesting decision to say the least. Demolishing a facility because it is difficult/costly for rescue personnel to access. On that basis the government should demolish all walking tracks in national parks. The helicopter/ses rescues I regularly see on tv for lost/injured bushwalkers look quite difficult/costly also.

Conan of Cooma2:13 pm 05 Oct 12

It’s not in use because the skill level required to ride is above most. That said, when it’s in use, it’s used very well. Just rarely. On account of Lazy Arse Canberran Teens.

Is there a reason for getting rid of it?

Rach_13 said :

Would hate to see it go!

Would like to see people using it!

Antagonist said :

Given there is a major skating complex only a few km away at Lake Tuggeranong, hasn’t this u-pipe become redundant?

It is unique as there is no flat surface at the base unlike other ramps in the ACT. Thus making it particularly challenging as you can’t pump on the down without faceplanting.

pffft! storm in a bowl.

Would hate to see it go!

Given there is a major skating complex only a few km away at Lake Tuggeranong, hasn’t this u-pipe become redundant?

http://the-riotact.com/how-many-emails-does-it-take-to-fill-in-a-hole/83837

I would regard having to bring in a rescue truck as indicative if the lack of safe egress at this facility. Being willfully ignorant is not going to win you any friends.

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