Village parent draws up plan for new skatepark

Andy Brown, of Hodgson Fold, Addingham, was given the task of creating a skatepark after his son, Jason, confronted Addingham Parish Council last year.

Mr Brown got together with local skaters to design their ideal skatepark with state of the art equipment which will cost £19,646.

The 39-year-old said: "The skaters are frustrated by the lack of facilities and are on occasion upsetting residents and shop owners.

"They don't set out to cause trouble, they are simply trying to pursue a sport that is very important to them and without anywhere to go they migrate to streets, shopping areas and school yards.

"This design is a really big step forward, there is lots of support in the village for it and the parish council has agreed in principle to the plans."

He presented the outline plan to Addingham Parish Council last Wednesday and received their approval.

The skatepark could be built at the Memorial Park, where initially tarmac will be put down on a piece of land and equipment added later once further money has been raised.

The proposed skatepark will consist of two grinding rails, two grinding benches, a mid box with rail, a 5ft flat bank 12ft wide with a handrail and a 5ft quarter pipe 8ft wide.

Chairman of Addingham Parish Council, Gordon Campbell said: "We have agreed in principle to get prices for the provision of a section of tarmac on land behind the Memorial Hall. We thought if we can provide the area and the actual tarmac surfacing then the children can raise the money to provide the equipment.

"The design is excellent - it is very professionally done. It looks like the perfect skatepark but the council had reservations that if we provided something to this standard we would attract youngsters from all over the area.

"The biggest fear is that we might start attracting vandalism.

"The kids will have to realise we will act accordingly and we will close it if this happens.

"We would like the youngsters to be on the board to make sure we provide the right facilities and more importantly they are aware of how much cost is involved so they will look after it better.

"The favourite site is by the Memorial Hall. It is owned by the council and we would position it at the back of the field far enough away so that residents are not troubled with the noise."

Presently skaters in Addingham have nowhere to go and have to travel to skateparks in Otley, Leeds or Sheffield.

The parish council will now be setting up a working group to look after the fundraising and building of the new skatepark.

It will include councillors, parents and, most importantly, the skaters themselves.

Mr Brown added: "The designs I have put forward have been drawn up by the youngsters themselves and I think they should be involved in the building choices and construction.

"It will be good experience for them and the more they get involved the more they are going to feel pride in the place and protect it from vandalism.

"The equipment makes up the majority of the cost at £11,000, the working party would be responsible for getting the money.

"We could get a grinding box for £250, I will buy one of these to get the ball rolling but others cost as much as £3,500 and that would have to wait until we had more money.

"We are hoping that local companies may sponsor the equipment and help us to buy some of the pieces. It is now up to the community to help with the fundraising efforts in whatever way they can."

If anyone is interested in helping the village to raise funds for the skatepark or wants to sponsor it they can contact Andy Brown on (01943) 839674 or email andybrown999@aol.com.