THE Extreme Sports Park at San Remo would be transformed into a skills, jobs, cultural and tourism hub under a plan pitched by San Remo Neighbourhood Centre co-ordinator Jill Hogan.
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Ms Hogan said the $2.8 million federal government grant intended for a skills centre at Wyong but rejected by council, should instead be renegotiated and used to build the hub at San Remo.
Ms Hogan said the intended grant should not be lost to the shire.
The money was desperately needed in the San Remo area, she said.
The neighbourhood centre has prepared a social and economic development document backing the proposal.
"There is very strong community interest in redeveloping this site for a skills centre and also as a recreation, employment and tourism hub," Ms Hogan said.
Residents of the shire's north were at a significant disadvantage in accessing education, training and community services because of poor transport links and the fact that many families did not own two cars.
The area had a 50 per cent youth unemployment rate and a high rate of indigenous students, she said.
The proposed project would include an Aboriginal cultural hub embracing an Aboriginal art gallery, new dirt BMX track, fenced dog run, sculpture gardens, performance area, multi-purpose classrooms and computer labs, a stage and amphitheatre plus a child-care centre.
"The majority of people are very supportive of redeveloping the site for this project," she said.
