Harrogate Borough Council is inviting local skate park enthusiasts to celebrate the ‘turning of the turf’ for the start of building works on a new skate and BMX park in Ripon.
1.00pm Thursday, 31 July 2014, Ripon Leisure Centre, Dallamires Lane, Ripon
Community Group Ripon Bike Park Project have worked tirelessly alongside Harrogate Borough Council and Ripon City Council to get to a position where approval has been granted and funds are in place to replace the existing skatepark in Ripon, with a new custom designed concrete park.
The decision to renovate the old site, which is located behind Ripon Leisure Centre on Dallamires Lane, was made due to the deteriorating condition of the current skatepark, and the desire by the local community to have a park that was more challenging and exciting than the existing facility. The new concrete facility will be double in size, providing increased space for skateboarders, scooter riders, skaters and BMX cyclists in a safe location.
Harrogate Borough Council has committed £31,000 to the project, while Ripon City Council has contributed £20,000. Further funds have been raised through a £50,000 grant from WREN, a not for profit business that awards grants to community projects across the UK from funds donated by FCC Environment to the Landfill Communities Fund, and a £50,000 grant from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund which is funded by the National Lottery. £24,661 has been provided through an Armed Forces Covenant Grant, while the PCC Community Grant Scheme has contributed £5,240. Ripon Bike Park project has also raised over £6,000 through their own community fundraising events.
Following planning approval in April, the council appointed Wheelscape from Bristol which specialises in bespoke innovative skatepark design and construction. It is hoped that that the facility will open in early September.
Councillor Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, Transport & External Affairs, has welcomed the start of works on the site: Ripon Bike Park Project have worked tirelessly to make their dream become reality, they really must be commended for their efforts.
Earlier this year we held a public consultation which provided residents with the opportunity to learn more about our plans. The event proved to be an overwhelming success and we are now delighted that building work is to begin to create an improved facility for the young people of Ripon.
Frances Fraser, Chair of Ripon Bike Park Project said: The young people have worked so hard fundraising and helping the Wheelscape team come up with a design for the skatepark that would be suitable for all ages and abilities and also different from any other in the area. It will be great to see the work begin and all their ideas and dreams becoming a reality.
