Other Sport / skateboarding
£1.5m needed to repair popular skatepark
A skatepark that is showing its age after being a popular community asset for 40 years could become a world class facility.
St George Wheelpark in St George Park needs £1.5m to transform it into somewhere that everyone from children on scooters to Olympic hopefuls can use.
But before then, a group of local skateboarders, bike riders and residents need to raise funds for the initial designs to kickstart the project.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol City Council was forced to close part of the skatepark in October 2021 due to “poor and worsening conditions” with cracks on the ramps nearest Chalks Road.
The campaign to renovate the skatepark has the backing of Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, and deputy mayor and St George West councillor Asher Craig.
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Community group Elevate Bristol is now crowdfunding to help raise the initial £10,000, with the goal to bring St George Wheelpark into the 21st century.
Elevate Bristol’s Robin Lewis said that the facility is “not something the community should lose, but without urgent action that is the likely outcome”.
He said: “The skatepark is a place that brings our community together, mixing all kinds of people of all ages. It’s a vital asset to the local community and wider city. If it was lost, the impact would be huge.”
Asher Craig added: “Team GB’s skateboarding success at the Tokyo Olympics has led to more people wanting to take up the sport and we have seen a marked increase in usage at St George’s wheelpark, but unfortunately it is now at the end of its life and we have the opportunity to develop a design that will continue to be free to use for everyone and include environmental improvements.
“The next phase cannot start without additional funding, which the team are currently seeking with support from Bristol City Council.”
Some sections of the skatepark built in 1982 remain closed due to health and safety concerns – photo: Martin Booth
To find out more and donate to the crowdfunder, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-world-class-skatepark-for-bristol
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: How DIY skateparks reassert ownership of the city’s abandoned spaces
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