New wheeled-sports skate park opens in Inshes Park, Inverness
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SKATEBOARDING and biking fans are celebrating after the newest wheeled-sports facility in Inverness opened.
The Inshes Community Association (ICA) and the newly-formed Inverness Wheeled Sports Club, were proud to officially announce the opening of the new facility for skateboards, scooters and BMX in Inshes Park.
The venue has been high on a list of projects for the park for some years, ever since a survey by the ICA asked people for their priorities for the site.
A wheeled sports park was viewed as especially important for the increasing number of young people with almost no local facilities. And, after a public meeting in 2019, the project began to take shape with local skateboarder/skatepark designer Taran Campbell (37) and others leading the charge.
The ICA worked with Taran and Alan Jones Associates towards realising the project and after liaising with Highland Council and raising £250,000 from various funds and businesses, the new skatepark was finally built by the firm Concreate.
It features a variety of obstacles and features, including rails, ledges, ramps, and quarter pipes. To make it ready for all wheeled sports, wider lanes for traffic were added and hard wearing materials were used across areas more susceptible to wear and tear .
Speaking about the new skatepark, Taran, who is co-founder/owner of the city's Infinity Trampoline Park, said: "I'm delighted to see the new wheeled sports facility finally open and am looking forward to the park becoming a real community hub. I'm grateful for the support of the Inshes Community Association and everyone who helped make this happen. I'm excited to see the venue being used by skaters, scooters and BMXers of all abilities, and I hope it will inspire more young people to get involved in these fantastic sports.
"I've been passionate about skateboarding now for over 20 years and it’s had a profound effect on my life. It’s taught me many lessons about resilience and persistence, as well as providing me with many deep friendships and years of fantastic memories.”
ICA chairman Thomas Prag added: “It’s been a long haul, but it’s a great demonstration of how working in partnership delivers in the end. Highland Council officers, local councillors, Alan Jones Associates and Taran have been terrific at just getting things done.”
Talking about whether he will be trying out the new facility, Thomas added: “Unlike the swings, zip wire and other stuff we’ve done, I don’t think I’ll be having a go myself on this – my 76 year-old limbs might not survive!”
The facility will be managed by the newly-formed Inverness Wheeled Sports Club which is co-chaired by Taran and Barry Collard (47) who meet regularly to discuss the status of the park and plan the future of wheeled sports in Inverness. Like many, Barry, who works for NHS Highland Public Health, took up skateboarding in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic as an alternative to the gym. Barry fell in love with the sport and immediately noted the physical and mental benefits it could provide.
“Taking up the sport in my 40s has shown me that I’ve totally missed out on something that I wanted to try a long time ago. I’ve made new friends and found a sport that I have a true interest in.
"Whilst I may never be performing tricks or grinding rails like some of the veteran skaters, like Taran and the other club members, what I have learned is that a skatepark is a place of new beginnings for both young and old. It doesn’t matter if you can already skate, scoot or ride a BMX. Maybe you’re just wanting to take that first step, to start learning. This is a community that loves to support each other.
“What this new facility provides is a great place for both beginners and experts alike. Whilst skateboarding may not be as immediately accessible as riding a scooter or a BMX, many of us involved in the club have coaching experience and we know that there have been a number of inquiries in the past about skateboarding lessons. Once the warmer weather arrives, this is something we are seeking to provide, ensuring skateboarding is accessible to anyone, young or old, who wants to try it.”
The Inverness Wheeled Sports Club have further plans including further outdoor wheeled sports facilities, the establishment of a new skateboarding school and most exciting of all, the development of an indoor venue – a first for the Highlands. Knowing how difficult it is for local skateboarders during the autumn and winter months, Taran said: "When the outside conditions become damp, cold and the evenings become darker, skateboarding effectively hibernates for a good six months or more. The club's aim is to build an indoor skatepark that can be readily available all year round, seven days a week.”
The £250,000 used to build the new Inshes wheeled sports park came from a variety of sources, including; Highland Council (Place Based Investment Fund), Inverness Common Good Fund, EB Scotland, Local Ward budget. Simpsons Garden Centre kindly offered to provide landscaping services.
– Pictures from the official launch of the facility will be published on the website later.
