Work starts to shape Swansea’s skatepark proposals

Work is soon starting to shape initial proposals for improved skateboarding and wheel sports facilities throughout Swansea.

It’s part of a Swansea Council commitment to invest more than £2m in many of these facilities by working in close partnership with local communities and a specialist company called Curve Studio.

Early designs for Victoria Park will be the first available for feedback, with a workshop soon being held to further explore whether an ambitious street plaza-style facility would work at the current location of the skate ramp there.

All other areas of Victoria Park would be unaffected by the proposal.

Taking place in Swansea Guildhall, the workshop – looking at this site only – will include two sessions on Tuesday October 22:

• 5pm to 6.30pm for skaters and riders
• 7pm to 8.30pm for other members of the public

Those in attendance are asked to report to Guildhall main reception, where they’ll be directed to the room where the workshop is being held.

An improvement plan for many other skateboarding and wheeled sports sites throughout Swansea is also currently being worked on.

Similar workshops will follow in other areas of the city where improvements to skateboarding and wheeled sports facilities will have maximum impact.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “Skateboarding and wheeled sports are very popular in Swansea but the current facilities we have need upgrading and improving.

“That’s why we’re investing more than £2m in these facilities to make sure they meet local people’s needs and aspirations.

“Feedback from skateboarders and other wheeled sports enthusiasts is key to our proposals as we continue to work in close partnership with the experts at Curve Studio, who have a proven track record of designing top-class facilities both in the UK and overseas.

“Victoria Park will be the first of many facilities across Swansea to benefit, so we’d encourage people to come along to the workshop and give views on initial design proposals for the site.

“This is part of an overall plan to make sure most people don’t have to travel more than two miles to reach a redeveloped skateboarding or wheeled sports facility in Swansea.”

The Victoria Park skatepark workshop follows-on from an online consultation and drop-in events held earlier this year. Over 300 people took part, helping Curve Studio get further knowledge of the public’s views and to scope out potential sites.

Jeremy Donaldson, of Curve Studio, said: “The council’s investment means Swansea will become one of the UK’s best cities for skateboarding and wheeled sports.

“Since the initial consultation, we’ve been busy working on potential sites across the city and preparing suitable design concepts. We will continue to work closely with local communities to develop the projects.

“The Victoria Park skatepark workshop will give skateboarders, wheeled sports fans and other members of the public the chance to see what we’re proposing for that site, while also allowing opportunities for input and feedback to help shape the final designs.”