weekender the western Thursday, May 19, 2016 • Issue 1253
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
www.westernweekender.com.au
Home sweet home
B U S I N E S S T I PS Advice, tips and profiles on the best local businesses p.28-29
Stopped in its tracks Fitness event faces uncertain future as gate closure halts weekly activity JADE ALIPRANDI
Panthers return home to face Titans p.31
Education Minister visits Penrith p.07 SKATEPARK 11-year-old boy petitions Council for Skatepark p.16
P
opular Penrith fitness event ‘Parkrun’ could be at risk of shutting down after access to ‘Gate D’ at the Sydney International Regatta Centre was closed off. Over 300 runners take part in the five kilometre run every Saturday, where friendships have been made and where participants have found a new love of fitness. But all of that could soon be taken away if an alternate option isn’t put forward soon. As the second anniversary of the event approaches, Penrith Lakes Parkrun Event Director, Shelley Cootes, said the group are worried Parkrun might be shut down after the gates were closed at the end of March. “Several events are held every Saturday, and because of this we really need our own car park to fit all of us in,” she said. “There is currently an alternative car park where participants can walk 800 metres to the start line, but this isn’t a viable long term solution as when another event is on at the same time. We may have to cancel ours due to lack of parking spaces.” Ms Cootes affirmed that Parkrun was an important event for many people considering the statistics the nation is confronted with on a daily basis. Penrith Lakes Development Corporation (PLDC) own the land in front of Gate D, which acts as a driveway and access point into the Regatta Centre. PLDC Project Director, Mick O’Brien, said the decision was made after a number of traffic disruptions. Story continues on » p. 7
Some of the Parkrun participants outside the gate in question. Photo: Megan Dunn
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