A CAMPAIGN has been launched to create an indoor skatepark and not-for-profit community hub in the Barry area.
Skateboarding and BMX enthusiasts have formed ‘ValeXpark’ with ambitious plans to build a facility that can be used all year round – and in the evenings.
Equipment that had stood at the outdoor Richard Taylor Memorial Skatepark from 2006 until the recent redevelopment consisted of wood that had become rotten, but the steel framework was still in good condition and the campaigners have put the items into storage with a view to upscaling and giving them new life at their proposed indoor skatepark.
Committee member Lauren Hay and her husband saw the benefits of a similar facility during their teenage years when they lived in Minster, Kent, and she believes the concept will hugely enhance the Barry community: “When we were growing up, the local indoor skatepark played a big part in our lives and it’s no exaggeration to say it transformed the community.
“Young people who previously had nothing to do could go to a place where they would be safe and have fun, but it also taught them valuable life skills.
“Whether it’s through skateboarding, BMX or anything else that went on, the young people were learning about the discipline, etiquette and consideration for others that’s needed to succeed, and these are all good values that they can take into other areas of their lives.
“We also saw how crime and antisocial behaviour fell rapidly in the area. The reality is that not all young people have good role models, so with nowhere to go and nothing to do, bad people such as drug dealers can end up becoming their role models, and their lives go off the rails as a result.
“By coming to an indoor skatepark, they are safe, and they are around people who set them a good example,” she said.
The committee’s immediate priorities are to assess public opinion and to find a suitable site for the facility in the Barry area.
Positive meetings have already taken place between committee members and Vale MP Alun Cairns and Vale MS Jane Hutt.
The public is being invited to donate to an online fundraiser with an initial target of £4,000, but Lauren says that even if people can only afford to give a very small amount, it will be welcomed as it helps demonstrate the scale of public support for the project.
Lauren believes Barry has been left behind in terms of amenities and that an indoor skatepark can provide a much-needed facility for young people: “We’ve seen lots of new houses and apartments built in Barry over recent years, but what we really lack is places for people to go and establish a sense of community. There’s a sense that creating facilities has been a distant afterthought by planners and developers.
“We’re very ambitious in terms of what we’d like this indoor skatepark to become. Yes, the new Richard Taylor Memorial Skatepark looks brilliant and I’m delighted, but the reality is people can’t go there when it’s dark or when it’s tipping down with rain.
“Ultimately, we’d like to incorporate other ideas into our plans, including rock climbing, pool tables, bike repairs, chill-out rooms, a shop and a restaurant.
“This won’t just be a skate park. It will be a support area for the youth of Barry where they can hang out in a safe environment and have something to do,” she said.
Donations and messages of support for the project can be given by visiting https://tinyurl.com/y75d5ss6
By MARCUS STEAD ✉️
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