Plans for Wirral indoor skateboard park revealed

PLANS have been put forward for the creation of an indoor skateboarding park at Seacombe.

The project would involve the redevelopment of a three-storey brick and clad industrial warehouse and office unit in the heart of the Dock Road Corridor industrial area.

It is anticipated that the skateboard park could attract 500 children and young people – from five-years upwards – a week.

The charity and social enterprise Rampworx is behind the enterprise.

Creating 12 jobs – eight of them full time – the venture would also offer a range of employment, social and healthy living programmes and projects covering various issues including drug and alcohol awareness, sexual health, healthy living and knife crime.

There would also be vocational-based training, some in partnership with the Vocational College based in Wheatland Lane, Seacombe

The project has been offered grant funding from the Biffa Environmental Fund.

The proposed development is a departure from Wirral’s unitary development plan but planners have recommended approval for the scheme claiming that issue should weighed against the benefits of bringing an empty building back into use and the positive impact of operating a charitable social enterprise.

The application will be studied by Wirral planning committee on Thursday.

Comments(17)

keef666 says...
2:08pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Money is getting cut left right and centre yet money can be found, to open this centre up, we already have a skateboard area, its in the park at liscard, as for Alcohol awarness i thought kids today knew all about what alcohol and what it does, thats why tthey drink!
I think theres more important things money could be spend/used for

Nigrette says...
2:59pm Sat 16 Mar 13

VOTE BIBB FOR MAYOR, HE WILL APPOSE THIS!

No.9 says...
3:11pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Fantastic! 20 years ago I used to have to travel to Aintree to take my son and his mates to Rampworx. This will be a brilliant facility, exactly what's needed for the kids round here. It's a very professional organisation and you'll be amazed at how they connect with the youngsters. I really do hope this is given the green light.

steady cyclist says...
7:05pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Absolutely fantastic ews, a great idea,and privately funded as well.

A derelict factory going to hae a new use, and somewhere for the kids to go and get and fit, and enjoy themselves safely.

I so wish theyd do skateboard lesons for us older people, be i am so jealous fo the skills thy have.

JohnON says...
8:32am Sun 17 Mar 13

I had no idea who Rampworx were until they did a 'simple' Summer holiday event at a small skateboard park near me and I was amazed at how popular and well-organized it seemed.

They obviously consider the location suitable in terms of accessibility and safety (travelling to and from) so good luck to them.

I hope it proves as popular and successful as they wish.

Positive thinker says...
10:20am Sun 17 Mar 13

Keef66 is talking utter crap

bigfoot says...
2:17pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Positive thinker wrote:
Keef66 is talking utter crap
Au contraire mon brave

red devil says...
4:55pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Today we are told that its a question of priorities. Building an INDOOR space is not a priority BUT, there is plenty of room on Harrison drive for an all weather complex. WBC take a leaf out of Scarborough's books and copy their well used ,all weather, full of kids, complex of bmx, skateboard, 5 a side, basket ball, toddlers centre. Harrison drive, will cost substantially LESS.

red devil says...
4:57pm Sun 17 Mar 13

the venture would also offer a range of employment, social and healthy living programmes and projects covering various issues including drug and alcohol awareness, sexual health, healthy living and knife crime
. If these same kids bothered to attend school they would find these facilities already in place in most schools, why pay Twice.

LUSTYCOURTIER says...
8:34am Mon 18 Mar 13

red devil wrote:
Today we are told that its a question of priorities. Building an INDOOR space is not a priority BUT, there is plenty of room on Harrison drive for an all weather complex. WBC take a leaf out of Scarborough's books and copy their well used ,all weather, full of kids, complex of bmx, skateboard, 5 a side, basket ball, toddlers centre. Harrison drive, will cost substantially LESS.
You cant skateboard in the wet! We used to have to travel to shrewsbury for our nearest skate park in early 90s, No.9, rampworx has been open less than 10 years.

ConcernedRatePayer says...
4:16pm Mon 18 Mar 13

I just hope NO COUNCIL Money gets poured into this project after them saying how short they are !

No.9 says...
7:39pm Mon 18 Mar 13

LUSTYCOURTIER wrote:
red devil wrote:
Today we are told that its a question of priorities. Building an INDOOR space is not a priority BUT, there is plenty of room on Harrison drive for an all weather complex. WBC take a leaf out of Scarborough's books and copy their well used ,all weather, full of kids, complex of bmx, skateboard, 5 a side, basket ball, toddlers centre. Harrison drive, will cost substantially LESS.
You cant skateboard in the wet! We used to have to travel to shrewsbury for our nearest skate park in early 90s, No.9, rampworx has been open less than 10 years.
Sorry, I should have typed 15 years. My lad's 30 now - realised this after I'd posted! It's been at Aintree since '97.

linners says...
4:53pm Wed 20 Mar 13

I personally am thrilled the skate park may be coming to the Wirral. I have a pre teen and it is so hard to keep them amused, safe and active in this often wet and miserable climate.
Rampworx liverpool is extremely well run and organised and holds regular 'special events' that kids can go to and meet visiting boarding, BMX or scooter professionals and the buzz is amazing.
When I was growing up we had youth clubs etc but those are dwindling fast, in fact I cant think of any in Wallasey.
Anti social behaviour is on the increase...not because they are bad kids...its boredom a lot of the time so
Lets get behind this plan and keep our kids safe, active and enjoying their childhoods like WE did !!!
There are lots of soft play areas and facillities for the younger kids and the older ones are forgotten.
mum of 2... ages 8 and 11

linners says...
4:55pm Wed 20 Mar 13

JohnON wrote:
I had no idea who Rampworx were until they did a 'simple' Summer holiday event at a small skateboard park near me and I was amazed at how popular and well-organized it seemed. They obviously consider the location suitable in terms of accessibility and safety (travelling to and from) so good luck to them. I hope it proves as popular and successful as they wish.
well said John. Rampworx are a great organisation and the kids from about 6 right up to early/late teens love it too

linners says...
4:58pm Wed 20 Mar 13

ConcernedRatePayer wrote:
I just hope NO COUNCIL Money gets poured into this project after them saying how short they are !
the council will pay out more in the long run..on broken play equipment in kids play areas and vandalism from bored teens... kids need an interest and be able to be in a safe environment. Its about time they catered for older kids on Wirral.
I wonder how old your kids are ????

MDearden says...
4:12pm Thu 21 Mar 13

Rampworx is a charity and has been for 17 years with no council support.

Biffa is a private company (not council) which Rampworx obtained a small amount of funding for after a 6 month bidding process.

The Aintree project helps over 1500 kids a week which we wish to replicate in the Wirral. Over 500 kids from the Wirral travel to Rampworx in Aintree every week.

Rampworx works with a number of Public Sector organisations including the NHS, Police, Youth Offending Team, Leisure Services and Schools to deliver outreach projects to help young people that fail to receive this service from other avenues.

This will be replicated in the new project, we hope to work closely with the local community to create a positive exciting project.

Find more information about Rampworx here http://rampworx.com

MarcMulv says...
4:51pm Thu 21 Mar 13

Being a 21 year old member of the Wirral community, after using the Rampworx Skatepark facility in Aintree for the past 10 year I feel that the Wirral will only profit from hosting Rampworx.

Let us not forget that Rampworx is a registered charity and even though they need to go through the council to build their skatepark on the Wirral all of their funding has come from private business who agree with their views on creating areas for people of all ages and backgrounds to use for their preferred extreme sport.

Having such a facility as Rampworx on their doorstep with elevate many problems raised by other members of the public about so called 'hoodies' in other words children/teenagers with nothing to do or no where to go after school and during weekends. Not to mention the jobs that they will supply to young adults who are seeking part or full time employment.

Rampworx has been a world class skatepark for 17 years, pulling in countries from all around the globe having one of their skateparks on with Wirral will only generate income for our community.

When I was a child all I wanted was somewhere were I could practise the sport that I love and have somewhere to meet new friends. Do not take the experience that I was lucky enough to be gifted with away from your children

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree