BATHURST finally looks set to host a round of the 2017 skateboarding World Cup after councillors ignored the advice of senior staff who had grave reservations about the event.
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The International Downhill Federation’s local arm, the Australian Skateboard Racing Association, has been in negotiations with Bathurst Regional Council for months about bringing a World Cup event to Mount Panorama from February 17-19 next year.
Corporate services and finance director Bob Roach had advised councillors against the plan on a number of occasions – citing a difficult relationship with the organisers during past events on the Mount – but councillors voted this week to give the skaters another chance.
Councillor Warren Aubin, a vocal supporter of the push to bring the World Cup event to Bathurst, told his colleagues it was too good a chance to pass up.
Cr Aubin said correspondence to council from ASRA president James Hopkin had addressed Mr Roach’s concerns – including a promise from ASRA to pay a $10,000 bond to council – and the event would provide a boost to the Bathurst economy.
“Mount Panorama is our major asset and our major tourist attraction and we need to utilise this facility as often as we can,” he said.
Bathurst man James Thompson, whose son Mitch races on the world skateboarding circuit, urged councillors to back the event.
“As a World Cup round, this event would create great coverage for Bathurst,” Mr Thompson told councillors.
“Red Bull has come on board as a backer of the event and will promote it on its TV channels.
“The event will bring around 1500 people to town and we’ll see events ranging from the seniors (35 and over) through to opens and juniors.”
Mr Thompson said Australians were among the world’s top skateboard racers with his son ranking in the top-10 in his first year on the circuit and a second local competitor, Jayden Howarth, the fourth ranked junior.
Skatebording will make its debut at the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020 and Mr Thompson said it was worth considering the chance that Bathurst could become an Olympic venue if Australia were selected to host the Games again.
“The Mount is evolving all the time and this a new direction for it to take,” he said.
Council will now continue its negotiations with ASRA to finalise details of the February event.
Mr Roach estimates council has been asked to provide about $10,000 in in-kind support for the event.
