ROSEBUD skater Lenny Richardson wants help to get back to the business of helping others and supporting young people in and around Rosebud.
The former skate shop owner and competition organiser’s life has taken a tumble since he was evicted from the shop he ran at Rosebud Plaza, forcing his not-for-profit business into limbo.
Richardson operated the Janice Earth Community, which ran free skate events at Rosebud skate park and put through more than $50,000 in prizes and money over the past 10 years.
Through his advocacy and financial support, he has been able to have the skate park upgraded over the years and had been working on a plan to secure support from Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, money and labour to construct a quarter pipe ramp.
Under the banner of Wax the Park, Richardson’s skate competitions have attracted crowds of up to 350 people and 70 skaters, and he has mentored hundreds of young up-and-coming skaters.
In 2013 he was able to assemble and donate just under 50 complete skateboards to charity, supporting refugees and the under privileged.
“Janice Earth was not just a store but a vehicle to bring people together for fun healthy times and good,” Richardson said.
But as rents increased and times became tougher during COVID, he had to move out of his store across the road from the skate park and into temporary premises at Rosebud Plaza late last year.
Richardson said that after a disagreement with the landlord over allegedly “missing” rent that was eventually accounted for, he was given a notice to vacate on 7 August and evicted under the gaze of security guards.
Richardson said he was “gutted” over the closure of his business but hopes to return to Rosebud if he can secure another store to work from.
“I’m putting it out there now, I’d love to return to the area and continue to run my shop that supports the youth community here,” he said.
A spokesperson for JLL Property and Investment services confirmed there was no “outstanding” rent and JLL had reached a confidential commercial agreement with Richardson and “wish him well in his future business endeavours”.
Lenny Richardson can be contacted on Facebook at Janice Earth Community, or Instagram.com/Janice.Earth
First published in the Southern Penisula News – 26 September 2023
