Excitement ramping up for skate park
A STUNT cyclist with a global following says it is “amazing” to see Helensburgh’s skate park make a return to the town’s seafront after nearly three years away.
Work began on Monday on installing a temporary area for skaters, BMX riders and scooter users next to the Helensburgh Leisure Centre car park.
And it is hoped the new facility will be available for use this weekend.
The previous facility was removed when demolition work began on the old Helensburgh Swimming Pool building after the leisure centre’s completion in 2021.
But after being left in storage it was discovered that the ramps were no longer suitable for reuse.
Helensburgh BMX star Kriss Kyle, whose stunts for Red Bull have been seen more than 30 million times, was already down at the waterfront to see Unit 23 of
Dumbarton installing the new ramps.
He was an emphatic supporter of the skate park returning to the waterfront last year.
Kriss said: “It’s so good to see. It’s amazing to have that back, especially with the summer coming.
“It will attract hundreds of kids. Helensburgh has missed not having the skate park there. I think it will bring back a great community of kids and get more people involved.
“It’s going to build a really good scene in Helensburgh – it’s a perfect location. I cannot wait to try it.”
After bad weather hit the first day of installation work on Monday, fingers are now crossed that the new ramps will be available for use this weekend.
Jackie Hood, of Helensburgh Skatepark Project, told the Advertiser:
“The weather on Monday probably cost half a day of build time.
“The Gatorskins top layers will be fitted Wednesday onwards so the park should be rideable by this coming weekend. Hurrah!”
Council officials are desperate to sell the empty land off West Clyde Street to a commercial bidder.
But a condition of planning approval for the leisure centre required the skate park to be put back.
And Argyll and Bute Council said a skate park had to be included as part of commercial bids for the waterfront.
The old ramps, after years in storage, were not suitable to be used again. Despite visions for a more diverse and enhanced park, council officials insisted it had to be exactly as before.
Unit 23 in Dumbarton has been building new ramps for the site and started installing them on Monday.
Jackie said it was a “huge sense of relief that the equipment has finally been reinstated”.
She said: “I always said I would only believe it would actually happen once the first batten of wood was down.
“I’m grateful that the council listened to our concerns about the quality of what was there before and contracted Unit 23 and Monolith to design, build and install the ramps.
“We are still disappointed about the restrictions on size, and the unknown timescale of the temporary park.
“It is a missed opportunity to have a flagship attraction for Helensburgh right in the centre of the town, rather than just reinstall what was there before.”
A skate park fundraiser will be held at Unit 23 on May 18.
It will feature three new local bands, with doors open from 8pm and a £10 suggested donation on entry. The first act will be from 8.30pm and all ages are welcome.