Three members of Swansea’s skateboarding community have given their backing to an ongoing investment in wheel sports facilities across the city.
Exist Skatepark co-founder Kate Leonard, coach Jon Lawton and Bishopston-based skateboarder Will Muxworthy say improved facilities will cater for demand while also helping boost the sport’s popularity.
Working in partnership with an expert company called Curve Studio, Swansea Council is investing £2.8m in wheel sports facilities in many communities.
Improved facilities are already available for use at Coed Bach in Pontarddulais and Melin Mynach in Gorseinon. It’s anticipated work will start at Victoria Park in August on a street plaza-style facility.
Other sites already announced for neighbourhood skate park improvements include Mynydd Newydd in Penlan and the Phoenix Centre in Townhill.
Council plans mean people in most parts of the city won’t have to travel more than two miles to reach an improved facility.
Kate Leonard opened Exist Skatepark in Mount Pleasant with her partner, Ric Cartwright, in 2011.
Kate said: “We’re really excited about the council investment because it will grow Swansea’s skateboarding community and give fans of wheel sports more outlets to burn off energy.
“Our facility at Exist will complement all the neighbourhood skate park improvements that are being carried out or planned, so we don’t see the investment as competition.
“There has been a lack of knowledge of skateboarding and other wheel sports over the years, although the Olympics have raised the profile of these activities and given them validation.
“Your focus when skateboarding means you’re not on your smartphone all the time and it’s also great for making friends and building confidence.
“Skateboarding is enjoyed by all ages – from people in their 50s to children as young as six. It has a culture that keeps people in the sport for years with a community based on values like respect, learning and friendship.”
Jon Lawton, aged 20, has been skating for eight years.
Jon said: “People want these improvements. We’ve made do with a few facilities in the past but skating hasn’t had room to grow, so that will now change because of this investment.
“It’s also been great to see the council listening and acting on feedback from local skateboarders and fans of other wheel sports.
“Curve Studio know their stuff. These facilities have been designed by skateboarders and influenced by skateboarders.
“The number of site improvements that are planned throughout Swansea will give lots of variety, so many local skateboarders will go to all of them.
“More facilities will encourage more people to take up skateboarding. When I was younger I must have spent two entire consecutive summers at Victoria Park, so it’s great to see the amazing plans for the skate ramp area there.
“The improvements throughout the city will also encourage people from outside Swansea to visit the upgraded facilities, helping to raise Swansea’s profile as a great place for skateboarding and other wheel sports.”
Will Muxworthy, age 25, has been skateboarding since childhood.
Will said: “There’s been a strong surf and skateboarding scene in Swansea for decades but there haven’t been facilities of a good enough standard since the late 1980s.
“It’s been a long journey, but I love seeing the Swansea Council investment that’s taking place now.
“In the past, local skateboarders would’ve been reliant on transport to get to Bristol or further afield but that’s soon going to change.
“The investment will help level the playing field with other parts of the UK, supporting other new facilities like the skatepark in Blackpill.
“Getting Curve Studio on board has also been crucial. They’ve been great with community involvement and listening to everyone’s ideas.
“The new facilities are amazing at Coed Bach and Melin Mynach and the plans for Victoria Park look fantastic. A lot of people are very excited about that location because it’s so close to our hearts.
“There is so much potential here and this investment will give Swansea the chance to be at the very forefront of skateboarding and other wheel sports.”
Other plans include a new pump track for novice and junior BMXers at Melin Mynach and the existing pump track at Clyne Valley will be undergoing a refurbishment.
Consultation is ongoing for an improved skate park in Ynystawe, a small cycling facility in Blaenymaes, a BMX focussed facility in Gowerton and a pump track in Bishopston.
