A NEW skatepark – designed with the input of hundreds of local skaters and other enthusiasts – is now open close to Leicester city centre.
Leicester City Council teamed up with leading UK skatepark specialists Maverick Industries to create the new facility at St Margaret’s Pastures sports grounds, off St Margaret’s Way.
The new skatepark is completely free to use and opened to the public on Thursday (10 July).
Features include flat bank ramps, grind rails and ledges, a stair set, a wheelie or ‘manny’ pad and an impressive quarter pipe that will run the full length of one end of the facility. Its specially laid surface also features a bold colourful design.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “The new skatepark looks fantastic and we’re really pleased to see it complete and ready to use in time for the summer break.
“St Margaret’s Pastures is already home to several well-used sports pitches and facilities and it made good sense to use a vacant part of the site to expand the range of outdoor activities on offer.
“Maverick are experts in their field and the design they have developed for this new skatepark is very impressive. They’ve listened very carefully to what skaters and other enthusiasts want from a new facility and we think they’ve produced something very special.”
As part of its initial design process, Maverick carried out an online survey and collected feedback from over 570 respondents ranging from beginner to expert skaters, as well as BMX and scooter riders.
Sam Reynolds, director at Maverick, said "It's exciting to see the skatepark open and being sessioned by the very people who helped to shape its design. We are delighted this new facility is already having a positive impact on the wheeled sports community of Leicester."
Yusra Alageli, co-director of Skate Parlour Leicester and Mama Skates CIC, said: “We’re very excited to see this new skatepark come to life. Maverick have been excellent in listening to the needs and wants of Leicester’s skaters. It will truly be a welcome addition to the city’s outdoor facilities, helping to diversify the sport and broadening access to skateboarding to communities near the city centre.”
The new skatepark is on an area of council-owned land currently leased to Leicester Hockey Club, immediately next to its Olympic standard pitch.
Located close to the city centre, the new facility will be easily accessible by foot, bike or skateboard and is near to car parking.
The city council approved funding of £375,000 for the scheme, using cash set aside for people and neighbourhoods policy provision.