A Bath skatepark that was 12 years in the planning had to be “squiffed” into place at the last minute.
The Alice Park skatepark | Photo courtesy of Cllr Joanna Wright
Original plans for the L-shaped concrete bowl in Alice Park show it further from the sandpit and at a right angle to the £130,000 finished product that finally opened in May.
The next focus for trustees will be to raise £200,000 to replace the “unfit for purpose” play area to bring all ages together.
Councillor Rob Appleyard told the council subcommittee that oversees the park on 13th December: “We leased the council in the original plans a specific area of land for the skatepark.
“We were always aware there were going to be things that were going to impact it.
“The contractors had to just squiff the skatepark somewhat. They had to accommodate tree roots.”
He added after the meeting: “The area leased to the council hasn’t changed. The footprint of the skatepark hasn’t changed.
“Everybody says what a great facility it is. For all the trials and tribulations it turned out well.”
His fellow Lambridge ward councillor, Joanna Wright, who spearheaded the campaign for the skatepark long before she was elected because there was nowhere nearby for her son to skate, said: “There’s a phenomenal use of the skatepark.
“It’s brought a huge diversity of people to the area from all ages. It’s a massive success.
“Concrete for me was a massive issue, but if you add all the time I spent driving round to skateparks it was mad.”
She said there were thousands of youngsters on the east of the city who previously had nowhere to play, so building a skatepark that is meant to last 50 years made sense.
“There’s a frustration that the play area isn’t fit for purpose, which is why we’re trying to raise £200,000,” added Cllr Wright.
“It’s going to be our focus for the next two years.
“It will bring all age groups together.”
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
