A councillor has welcomed proposals to build a skate park in Morgan Jones Park in Caerphilly town.
Cllr James Pritchard has campaigned for the park and is now urging residents to take part in an upcoming consultation.
The proposed skate park could be built within the next financial year and Cllr Pritchard said although the precise location is not yet known, it is hoped it will be away from nearby homes.
Cllr Pritchard, who represents the Morgan Jones ward, said: “The skate park will cater particularly for younger people, who often tell councillors there’s not enough to do. I want better facilities for young people and this is why I welcome this positive news.”
Where on earth does Councillor Jamie Pritchard get his energy from, he seems to continuously be promoting the interests of his constituents in the Council. Issue after issue appears to be successfully executed by him in his ward. Bottle it Jamie and sell it on.
Is there demand for it? I am still convinced young people do not want any activities or special places, they just want a quiet area where they can ‘hang out’ (I hate that phrase) with their friends.
This skate park is a waste of our money.
Could be a waste, just like the skateboard park of 10 years ago that was supposed to be created in the market. I recall that some £600,000 plus of public money was spent and the children still had no skate park.
As a parent of two teenage boys I can assure you it won’t be money wasted if done properly. They currently have to get to Lansbury park which is the opposite end of Caerphilly. Otherwise I drive them to cardiff. The council spend enough on pitches. Not all kids want to play football or rugby.
There is definitely a demand for it. The park behind the Rec had a huge user base but unfortunately became unsafe as it was made of wood. Sadly it’s replacement never happened.
Other towns with concrete parks have thriving scenes with multiple age groups using them.
How can I get involved in the consultation please?
It will have to be concrete or it won’t last. The council depts don’t have the money to fix things nor do they have the mindset to keep up with maintenance.
If it’s built properly buy a company like Maverick is won’t need matainence for years. If it’s built by a cowboy company it’ll need matainence every few months. This is why I want to get onboard. Caerphilly Council has wasted lots of money before by not bothering to consult properly and just putting things out to tender.
Skateparks need to be designed by experienced users not playground companies who work on 500% profit business models
Mate of mine works for parks dept in another council. He tells me all about it so I know where you’re coming from on this, which is why I mentioned the cost.
To be fair the bicycle track at the end of van road is constantly in use. Every time I walk past it I can hear (and just about see) half a dozen kids on it.
But I can also see Deans point (below) on this but think your confusing the bad kids with the good kids.
There were things for me to do when I was a kid but all I wanted to do was find somewhere quiet to get up to no good as you are suggesting.
There’s unfortunately always going to be ‘bad’ kids. Anywhere. Used to be lots in Aberdare and since the skateparks were built lots now scoot/skate/bmx instead of cause trouble. Same in Nelson too.
I am hugely biased as a skateboarder but I’ve seen first hand skateparks can transform communities. Haverfordwest have a huge facility and user group and crime has dropped and tourism increased as a direct result.
Worth a crack I suppose, but cost?
This is fantastic news to hear! Caerphilly county lacks a decent skate park, and I agree with the comments below it’s going to have to be concrete. Concrete parks are guaranteed to last 60 years! How do we get involved? Because I don’t want the council to waste money on a metal or wooden park.