Thursday 28th June 2007
(ref:
WLCT88/2007)
Former BMX Champion and professional skateboarder Mike Pardon has given his thumbs up to a new extreme sports facility at Alexandra Park, Newtown, Wigan which will be formerly opened on Monday 2nd July.
The Mayor of Wigan, Councillor John O’Brien, will officially open the new multi-use facility at 6.45pm. Skateboard lovers, BMX enthusiasts, bladers and local residents are all invited to attend the opening event and to witness a world class BMX display by Mike.
The construction of ‘Alexandra Skate Park’ has been co-ordinated by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, as part of Wigan Borough’s Extreme Sports Strategy. The facility has cost £122,000 to build thanks to £99,000 from SRB6 (see notes); £10,000 provided by local councillors through their Brighter Borough money, and £13,000 of support from Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.
Mike Pardon, who as well as being a former British champion is the only fully qualified BMX and Skateboard coach in the UK, said,
“Alexandra Park’s new facility is really well designed and appeals to both skaters and bikers. Full marks to Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust and Wigan Council for recognising the need for such a skatepark. With BMX racing now a full Olympic sport in 2008, and the proven benefits of action sports as an aid to learning, it can’t be long before the borough produces a new generation of champions.”
The new facility has the very latest extreme sports equipment including: a mini-ramp, a Wembley gap, a flatbank, a quarter-pipe, a jumpbox, a stepped grind-box, a grind box, a driveway, a hipped flatbank, and a hipped quarter-pipe.
David Owen, Parks Community Liaison Officer for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, said,
”This new facility has only been open for a few weeks but is already being really well used. It is now a great place skating, BMXing and blading; all exciting, invigorating and social activities. We hope that more people will be encouraged to get active and enjoy what we have at Alexandra Park; particularly young people as they are often stuck for a suitable area to enjoy extreme sports.
“I would like to thank local councillors, our Parks Regeneration Team and the Council’s Environmental Services department for their hard work to get this project completed and up and running. We have more exciting plans for Alexandra Park in the future and we would like to develop a ‘Friends Group’ who can help us to achieve Green Flag status for the park.”
The new facility’s design was influenced by local boarders, bladers and BMXers who were consulted by Councillor Birch during the Party in the Park event in 2006. The quality of the skate park has been gratefully received by local young people.
Avid skateboard enthusiast Matty Andrews, aged 20, said,
“I have skated on many outdoor parks around the North West and I can honestly say that the one situated in Alexandra Park is one of the best I have skated on. The delightful combination of transition and street obstacles provides a variety often unseen in skateparks of its nature.
“It is a much needed facility in the area, and now fellow extreme sports fans are no longer forced onto the streets in order to peruse the sport that they love. Previously, me and my fellow friends have been forced to travel considerable distances in order to find high quality skateparks like the one situated in Alexandra Park. It’s great we now have such a skatepark on our doorsteps!”
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Parks Regeneration Team has indicated this is only the first Stage of the Extreme Sports Facility and are currently exploring funding opportunities and are looking for support to complete Stage Two which will offer more ramps and make the facility one of the best in the area.
The official opening of ‘Alexandra Skate Park’ takes place at 6.45pm on Monday 2nd July; all are welcome to attend. Mike Pardon will also be appearing at the ‘Party in the Park’ event on Saturday 7th July at Alexandra Park from 12pm to 4pm.
