Construction of the controversial $1.6 million skate park on Fremantle’s Esplanade reserve has started, with mayor Brad Pettitt turnin the first sod Wednesday morning.

The park for skateboarders, BMX and scooter riders, and parkour enthusiasts is expected to be completed by April. Dr Pettitt says the 2500sqm plaza will attract social and economic benefits and boost the city’s appeal as a tourist destination.

The Fremantle Residents and Ratepayers Association is gearing up for another stoush with the council over the second stage of the development: “Having announced so-called ‘final designs’ in July at a cost of $1.6 million, City of Fremantle staff and councillors are already talking about re-allocating additional funds within the city’s budget for a second stage of the Esplanade development, which we understand will see more land and more public funds used than what had already been announced,” FRRA interim chair Claudia Green said. “These are classic development-by-stealth tactics used by many a large private developer.”