The YMCA is the current manager of the park, but agreed at a meeting on August 1 to let council take control.

The land is owned by the Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning, which council and the YMCA must now approach to transfer management.

It will allow council to oversee the planned redevelopment of the skate park.

A project control group,  which includes council officers, skate park committee members and skate park users, has been set-up to steer the works.

The decision follows extensive fundraising by the skate park committee to redevelop the precinct.

Cr Gary Hull reported at council’s August meeting that the committee had reached $83,000, just $37,000 of its $120,000 target.

Ararat mayor Paul Hooper said the council taking over management would see a good outcome for the skate park.

“I think the skate park has huge community interest,” he said.

“Particularly for the youth of Ararat - it is clear the community has worked hard to raise that money - as have the people on the committee.”

Cr Hooper said it was good to see the community working with local government on such a big project.

“I absolutely applaud that and there is still a lot of work to be done,” he said.

“To achieve the dream as they have put it to us we are doing what we can.

“I am positive there will be a good outcome for the skate park.”

The skate park committee has a long list of planned upgrades for the precinct.

A $74,000 concrete bowl is one of the big ticket items the committee is hoping to add to park.

Better amenities, including shade cover for summer, drinking fountains and landscaping works are also part of the plans.