With thanks to Ian McLaren, PR account manager, Innes Associates.
Kincorth’s new state-of-the-art skatepark.
Kick flips, nose slides and half pipes will be all be on display at the opening of Aberdeen’s newest community skateboard park on Saturday, 08 August 2015.
The free to access, state-of-the-art facility on Kincorth Circle has been constructed following years of discussion between local residents and Kincorth and Leggart Community Council, who launched an appeal for funding.
The park cost around £55,000 and north-east children’s charity Cash for Kids assisted the community council in securing the funding, with £50,000 coming from charity Aberdeen Forward and the Aberdeen Harbour Board.
The remaining £5,000 was raised by the community council.
The all wheeled park, which has been built by leading specialist company Concrete Skateparks, will cater for skateboarding, BMX biking and in-line skating, and features full disabled access. A range of brand new equipment, including BMX bikes, boards and safety clothing, has also been donated by Cash for Kids for use by local youngsters.
Kincorth and Leggart Community Council secretary Catherine Cowie, who also led the project, said:
“We have been working on this project for many years and it has been driven by the needs of the local young people. Cash for Kids has given us great support which has enabled us to secure the required funding and also have some equipment available for local youngsters to use.
“The community council’s role is to support people of all ages living in the area and it will be wonderful to see local youngsters and their families enjoying this well designed new facility. The skatepark will provide a positive diversionary activity for children in Kincorth and surrounding area. In additions, we plan to run free coaching sessions for local young people so they can learn a new sport that they might not otherwise have tried.”
The skateboards, BMX bikes and safety equipment will be available to young people free of charge with a parental signature required under the terms of the rental agreement. It is hoped the items will also be used by schools during PE sessions.
Emma Kemp, Cash for Kids’ charity manager, said:
“Facilities such as this are important assets to encourage youngsters in local communities to get outdoors and be active. Cash for Kids worked closely with the community council to secure the substantial funding required for this project to become a reality and it is fantastic to see everyone’s hard work now come to fruition.
“Our donation of kit and safety equipment ensures that young skaters and BMX enthusiasts who don’t have their own equipment are able to enjoy this facility. We hope the skatepark proves to be a mechanism to get children involved in sport on all levels for many years to come.”
An opening ceremony will be held at noon on Saturday, 08 August 2015 and will include demonstrations and training sessions from Transition Extreme and Granite Reef staff. Young people are being encouraged to take along their bikes, skateboards and scooters to the event.
Cash for Kids is Northsound Radio’s listeners’ charity. It makes grants to individuals, families, children’s groups, organisations and projects throughout the Northsound transmission area. All money is raised locally and spent locally to benefit local disabled and disadvantaged children and young people under 18. More information on Cash for Kids can be found at www.northsound1.com/charity, or telephone 01224 337010.
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