Cardiff’s first ever Skate Plaza officially opened yesterday and is already receiving praise from all quarters.
The Cardiff Barrage Skate Plaza, funded by the Safer Capital Partnership – of which Cardiff Council is a key partner – and Cardiff Harbour Authority, is the city’s first concrete skate park and covers an area of over 1,100 square metres.
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells officially declared the Skate Plaza open before over 80 skating enthusiasts, including those who started the campaign to have it built, put the new facility to the test.
Cllr Howells said: “I am thrilled to open the Skate Plaza. I know local skateboarders have been campaigning for this park and I am delighted that we are finally able to deliver a park that they will be proud of.
“We have worked closely with many of them here today and they have been involved throughout the design and construction process. Their input has been vital in the successful completion of the park.
“I hope the new park plaza will encourage more people of all ages to take up skateboarding and I am sure it will be a very popular facility in the city”.
Local skateboarders in the Cardiff and South Wales area have been involved throughout the design and construction process to deliver a skate park that fulfils the expectations of skateboarders. The park has been specifically designed with ramps at various levels to allow users flow around the course without stopping. The design of the park has taken into account the aesthetic qualities, existing landscape and anticipated weather conditions on the Barrage.
The Skate Plaza is unique as it has been designed to replicate features from famous skating locations around the world. Following the example of the Barcelona skate park, the new plaza is made from a variety of different materials, including concrete, brick, and granite. The park also features a jump called the ‘Beijing Gap’ originated in China that allows users the chance to jump across a wide opening.
Dan Gamborini, 26, from Canton, praised the council saying: “The consultation process was really successful. They listened and gave us everything we wanted.”
Phil Ian Mortimers, 29, from Lisvane told how skaters have travelled from Manchester and even America to use the new park since its recent completion.
He said: “People travel all over to get here and an American skate group who visited described it as the best skate plaza they have seen. That’s brilliant.”
Skateboarding is a great sport which promotes interaction between skaters of all ages as well as a great way to keep healthy.
Jamie Richards, eight-years-old from Whitchurch, has been skating for three years. His mum Chris Richards, said: “It’s fantastic. There is never any trouble and the older boys are so good with Jamie because he is little, they always look out for him. I think it will bring a lot of people into the area”
