by Tim Nuttall
After successfully securing capital funding from Sport England, Withernsea’s skate park is set to be redeveloped thanks to the combined efforts of Withernsea Town Council and Active Withernsea.
Designed in partnership with residents, Active Sports and Sport England, the existing park will be completely redesigned as a multipurpose activity space suitable for skateboards, scooters and BMX riders.
Led by Hessle-based construction company CR Reynolds and Bristol-based consultation, design and skate park specialist Canvas, the project is due for completion in spring 2024, with work anticipated to start on site this week.
Jayne Moxon, town clerk, said: “Withernsea Town Council is looking forward to the completion of the redeveloped skate park in the spring. This is the culmination of many months of work regarding planning, consultations and discussions with user groups, specialist designers and many other partners to make this project a possibility.
“It will be an exciting new asset for the town – not only for the local riders, but also the ones coming in to use the facility from neighbouring villages and beyond. We will continue to work with Active Withernsea to develop the Friends of the Skatepark and Skatepark Rangers groups which are vital for community involvement and long-term sustainability of the park.
“Anyone interested in joining can contact either Active Withernsea, or the town council. Working together, it is hoped that suitable events and competitions can be held in the future which will create an interesting new activity for youngsters of all ages and abilities.
“More information will follow which will publicise what will be happening on the skate park in the coming months. We wish to thank the funders, Sport England, and our partners, Active Withernsea, for their dedication and involvement in this project.”
A spokeswoman for Active Withernsea added: “We would like to thank Withernsea Town Council for its support throughout this process and its invested passion to continue to help develop the space for the community for years to come.
“Active Withernsea and Withernsea Town Council are joining forces to create a Friends of the Skatepark group alongside Skatepark Rangers who will collectively continue to build on the legacy of this investment.
“We are excited to continue to work with the Millennium Green Trust to grow the visibility of the area and the tranquil nature of the walking routes which surround the skate park and would like to thank them for their support with
the project. We will be working closely with the contractors throughout the redevelopment to ensure public access to the pathway can remain open to allow the community to continue to safely enjoy the surrounding green space while work is under way.”
Meanwhile, plans for a launch event to unveil the skate park’s transformation are being prepared which will involve the project’s main collaborators working alongside other clubs and organisations including the Millennium Green Trust, Withernsea Tennis Association, the Hut, Withernsea Bowling Club and East Riding Leisure Withernsea, to collectively celebrate the full complement of opportunities that the park’s redevelopment will bring.
In addition, community design workshops, led by illustrative artist Smizz, are in the pipeline to help elevate the space when construction is completed.
Meanwhile, in partnership with the Hut and the Lookout, a local group that supports children with special educational needs, a number of Safe Skate sessions are being planned to ensure the redeveloped park is inclusive and welcoming for all.
For further information about the project, or if you are interested in joining the Friends of the Skatepark group or becoming a Skatepark Ranger, contact Jennifer Lount, engagement officer at Active Withernsea, at [email protected].
Alternatively, visit the Active Withernsea Shop at 170 Queen Street or call the team on 01964 782299.
