In February 2023, PKCCI secured a $500,000 grant from the Port Kembla Community Investment Fund to bring this vision to life. With plans now taking shape, Revolution Action Sports Concepts – a company known for creating top-tier skateparks across southern Sydney – has been selected to oversee the project.
“This marks an exciting time for Port Kembla. The new skate facility and accompanying basketball court will serve as a community hub for generations,” commented Will Mitry, a dedicated local and project manager representing PKCCI.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown echoed the enthusiasm, saying, “We have a passionate skateboarding community in our city and I know there will be many thrilled people with the announcement that Revolution Action Sports Concept will be overseeing this community-led project. It’s an exciting next step in this long-term project to have a well-planned and exciting space in Port Kembla.”
Meanwhile, Councillor Ann Martin, who championed the idea of PKDIY becoming a permanent facility back in 2022, is delighted to see it come to life. “It’s great to see these positive outcomes when the community and Wollongong Council work together,” Cr Martin said.
To amp up community engagement, PKCCI has teamed up with BighART, a leading arts and social change organisation. BighART will receive an additional $50,000 annually over the next three years to curate Skate of Mind events at Port Kembla DIY. These events will blend skateboarding, music, art, and food to unite and celebrate local talent.
“We look forward to collaborating with the Port Kembla community to honour the legacy of PKDIY and embrace the potential of the new skate space,” said Lincoln Smith of BighART.
“We are eager to collaborate with BighART to foster community spirit and drive positive change through their programs,” added Mitry.
Want to join in on the celebration? To celebrate this milestone, the community is invited to the PKDIY Renewal Jam on March 16th at 2pm, followed by a skate video premiere at The Servo from 5pm.
We’re beyond proud of this initiative and can’t wait to see how Port Kembla’s skatespace evolves in the months ahead.
