A SKATEBOARDING competition will pay tribute to Wodonga teenager Spencer Botting in Wodonga on Sunday. The 16-year-old Wodonga youth died in a car crash at Staghorn Flat in May, and his death impacted many young people in the region. The Wodonga leg of the Loddon Mallee Hume Skate Park Series will be held in honour of the teenager, with competitors vying for the Spencer Botting Memorial Trophy. Spencers family members will present the award to the winner. The event will be held at the James Scott Memorial Skate Park, with upgrades officially unveiled at the site on Friday. Mayor Rodney Wangman said the $280,000 in works, which include a new basketball ring, rails, ledges and ramps, would be beneficial for users. We have thousands and thousands of people who use this location every year, he said. It ticks lots of boxes. Its healthy stuff, involves community activity, develops friendships and skills, and is a lot of entertainment. You cant get better than that. The upgrades also include a shaded area which can be used by DJs and bands. Cr Wangman said there werent any further upgrades planned for the skate park. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the upgrades were positive. I think the good thing about skate parks is its a safe activity for young people, she said. It gets them outdoors, it gets them socialising and its free. This has been developed with the users and has a continuous flow. The fact they involved them all in the design is very cool. The skate park has undergone three upgrades since opening in 1995. Sundays free event, which runs from 10.30am to 4pm, will featuring skateboarding, scooters, and BMX across a range of age groups. Council youth services officer Anthony Nicholson said anyone interested in competing should arrive early as there were 20 places in each round. This event is a great opportunity to showcase the fantastic facilities for skaters in the region, as well as to celebrate the talents of young people, he said. For more information on the event visit www. skatepark.ymca.org.au