VANDALS have rendered the hugely-popular skate bowl at Empire Park unusable after setting fire to a wiz bin.
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Newcastle City Council has engaged contractors to make repairs after a small section of the concrete surface in the middle of the bowl was damaged on Saturday night.
The council said the bowl would be fenced off from Tuesday morning for “fast tracked repairs ahead of the Australian Bowl Riding Championships” on February 25.
“We were extremely disappointed to learn of the fire damage to the skate bowl at Bar Beach yesterday morning,” Newcastle City Council infrastructure director Frank Cordingley said.
“Council officers have assessed the damage this morning and appointed a contractor to make quick repairs.”
In the council statement, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said council had provided the facility since 2011.
“Council staff will be working hard over the next fortnight to ensure the facility is ready for the championships which council proudly supports," Cr Nelmes said.
Veteran skater and Bar Beach Skateboard Club events coordinator John Bogearts said in the council statement that the skating community had been left “devastated”.
“It's probably the most highly used facility in Newcastle and it's devastating that it's out of action,” Mr Bogearts said.
“It's the first time that we have had any substantial damage and it's very disappointing given its popularity.”
The Bar Beach - Empire Park skate park's 7- 11 foot bowl and plaza-style street section make it one of the most progressive, diverse skate facilities in the country.
Next week's Australian Bowl Riding Championships will be the fourth consecutive year they have been held at Bar Beach.
Anyone with information about the weekend's vandalism should contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.