GRANT District Council will build a modular pump track at Port MacDonnell amid soaring popularity for the recreational activity.
The decision comes just days after an international qualifying event was held at Mount Gambier’s pump track, which is the first of its type in the region.
It was the first Red Bull Pump Track World Championships qualifier ever held in Australia.
At council’s meeting this week, elected members dumped plans to build a fitness track at Port MacDonnell, replacing it with a $48,000-plus pump track.
The all ages “bowtie” pump track is expected to create a drawcard for all wheeled sports, including scooters, skateboards and balance bike activity.
Elected members also gave the green light to The Waterfront playspace blueprint, which will now move to detail design phase.
Cr Jody Elliott said the pump track was a welcome addition to the Waterfront development.
“This should be popular, we had overwhelming feedback people wanted a pump track – it was the right move,”Cr Elliott said.
Council chief executive officer Darryl Whicker said the pump track would attract visitors and create a “point of difference’ at the seaside town.
The proposed pump track will be a “bowtie” track with a 42 metre long rideable surface and will be manufactured in the Czech Republic.
Following community consultation, council has tweaked its playspace blueprint.
High priority features will include a nature play space, double swing and Liberty swing, water, sand play and boat wheel edible garden, mini-ground trampolines, slide and a boat and small boat.
“Once the detailed design has been received, the boat will move into the procurement stage,” Mr Whicker said.
At this week’s meeting, Cr Brad Mann questioned council’s potential liability with the installation of trampolines.
“But the bottomline is that kids will use it, which is fantastic,” Cr Mann said.
Mr Whicker told elected members the trampolines would be installed to Australian standards suitable for coastal conditions but would need maintenance.
The Waterfront stage is earmarked to be completed in December 2020.
