£150k Stourbridge skate park given green light
A planned £150,000 skate park for Stourbridge has been given the go-ahead, sparking joy for town leaders as well as skaters who have been waiting more than five years for the facility.
Dudley Council approved Unit3sixty's plan for an indoor park in Mill Race Lane this week. The former disused industrial unit will offer BMX, skateboarding and scooter riding facilities.
The proposal is supported by a £40,000 community enterprise fund from Dudley Council and was drawn up in response to calls from young people for a new skate park in the town.
The former Ramparts skate park was closed when its home in the basement of the former multi-storey Bell Street car park was demolished to make way for Tesco.
Today, Gavin Pardoe, owner of Unit3sixty, said he hoped building work on the new indoor skate park would get under way by next month, with opening targeted for this summer.
He said: "We're delighted to get the approval to go ahead with this. So many people have been waiting for this and it would have been a huge shame if we didn't get it.
"We have big aims for the park. We want it to be among the best in the country, but we want the help of users to help us draw up the ideas inside the park."
The enterprise held a consultation with potential users earlier this year to discuss what they wanted to see. From bike jumps to a DJ school, the ideas are being brought together for the project.
Other ideas include graffiti art walls, a dance academy and a cafe.
Mr Pardoe said: "Young people have been waiting for something like this in Stourbridge for a long time."
The scheme has been made possible thanks to funding from a number of organisations.
They include £10,000 from council-run community forums and a £75,000 loan from Charity Bank.
Backing has also come from senior town leaders, including MP Margot James. She said: "The skate park facility will be a fantastic addition to the local community here in Stourbridge and I know it will be welcomed by young people in the area."
Today, Chairman of Stourbridge Township Council Margaret Scott said: "I'm pleased the skate park is going ahead.
"It sounds good for young people in the town, giving them something to do in the evenings."
Planning officers at Dudley Council approved the proposals, but want to discuss parking arrangements before it goes ahead. There is currently 29 off-street car parking spaces proposed as part of the scheme.
