Swansea aims to become the skateboarding capital of Wales, as reported by Wales Online. The council’s cabinet has approved an additional £1 million to the existing £1 million budget for constructing new skate parks and pump tracks in the city. These pump tracks are looping circuits designed for cyclists with jumps and banked turns.
People in Swansea will soon have access to new skate parks or pump tracks within a two-mile radius of their homes, according to Councillor Robert Francis-Davies. Consultants hired by the council estimated the cost of developing a network of new skate facilities to be approximately £2.7 million. While the exact locations of the new parks have not been disclosed, excitement surrounds the prospect, with Councillor Cyril Anderson mentioning a new skate park for the Townhill ward.
The council’s investment in skateboarding infrastructure aims to ensure that every resident, young and old, can enjoy skateboarding or cycling within a short distance. Cllr Francis-Davies expressed his ambition for Swansea to become the leading destination for skateboarding and small-wheeled sports in Wales. The additional funding will enhance the current outdoor and indoor skate facilities in the county, including a park established by Mumbles Community Council at West Cross.
Keen skateboarder Kenneth Waggestad-Stoa from Curve Studio, the consultancy working with Swansea Council on the project, highlighted the importance of developing a comprehensive network of wheeled sport facilities across Swansea. The master plan includes a variety of skate parks and pump tracks of different sizes and styles to cater to the community’s diverse needs.
The council’s commitment to investing in recreational facilities extends beyond skateboarding, with recent renovations of approximately 50 children’s play areas at a cost of £7.1 million. Cabinet members also approved an additional £1 million for councillors to utilise on capital projects within their wards, doubling the available local spending for the current term.
Funding for the skate parks and other projects is drawn from a budget surplus of £12.4 million from the previous fiscal year. Other allocations included £1.2 million for road resurfacing and improvements to park paths, bringing the total investment in highways to over £8.1 million. Council leaders emphasised the necessity for increased funding to meet the desired standards for road infrastructure in Swansea.
As Swansea embarks on its journey to enhance its skateboarding facilities, the city is poised to become a hub for wheeled sports enthusiasts. With a vision to create accessible, high-quality facilities that inspire community engagement, Swansea is set to establish itself as a prominent destination on the skatepark map of the UK.