Alternative Sports

Who? Where? When?

The project was at Curwen Park Park, Workington; an old park in a wooded area, screened by mature poplars. The project started in 2003 and was completed in 2005 by Workington Alternative Sports Group (Young People), Workington Regeneration and Allerdale Borough Council.

Contact Details

Mr Pat Joyce Technical Officer (Leisure Services) Allerdale Borough Council Allerdale House, New Bridge Road Workington, Cumbria CA14 3YJ pat.joyce@allerdale.gov.uk 01900 326324

Objectives

To work with Workington’s young people to provide a much needed alternative sports facility

The Process

• A survey local young people's needs and interests was carried out by Workington Regeneration, this identified the provision of a skate park as a high priority
• Local young people then set set up a voluntary organisation to be eligible for support from grant sources and councils.  They started looking for funds. 
• Initial consultation by the Young People’s group and Regeneration.
• Further widespread consultation including the Young People’s group, Regeneration and Allerdale Borough Council.  Public meetings and forums were run involving local residents near to the sites.
• A working group was formed consisting of the young people, Workington Regeneration, and Allerdale Borough Council. The group looked at 20 sites within Workington, assessing each one for suitability using a matrix. 
• Working with the young people to assess design and location of skate park
• Surveying and drawing up base plans of prospective sites
• Assessment of designs submitted by suppliers regarding their suitability for the site
• Preparation of final specifications
• Young people and representatives of the residents group that had raised objections to the skate part were taken to visit successful projects in Windermere and Lancaster. This was to tackle concerns that such a facility would be detrimental to the environment and attract the wrong element.
• Landscaping scheme undertaken for partial screening of skate park
• User survey following several months’ usage of facility.

Achievements and Outcomes

• Workington now has a skate park facility for use by young people, who were previously a neglected group in the town.
• The facility provides an opportunity to take part in a physical activity that is not one of the traditional sports activities, therefore catering for a wide range of young people, male and female.
• Success of Alternative Sports Group in procuring grant funding (80K) for skate park
• User survey saw 100% co-operation from all users interviewed who were generally very satisfied with the facility and were prepared to travel some distance to use it.
• Improved partnership working.
• Value of consultation in overcoming public opposition, the project succeeded when all parties were able to contribute.
• Raised awareness of the needs of young people.

Lessons Learnt / Key Advice

• Very important to consult with and allow young people to input into the design details of the facility, and to allow them to decide their own specification and layout subject to budgetary and health and safety constraints
• The value of a full and widespread consultation with the larger community, i.e. young people, local authorities, and other relevant agencies e.g. community safety
• Skate parks are best sited in areas of low visual profile due to their stark appearance (especially if the construction is in concrete) and the fact that the facility will attract graffiti
• If a skate park is successful (i.e. popular with skaters) this leaves little room for the anti-social element
• There is a need to carry out robust pre- and post-construction consultations with all residents, even in apparently low profile locations with regard to the skate park site. The consultations need to assess the visual and noise impact etc. and to agree to and implement solutions to any problems
• Maintenance! – Whilst most skate park users act responsibly towards the facility, more attention needs to be paid to litter collection and general on–site tidying.
• The Young People’s Alternative Sports Group disbanded following completion of the project. Perhaps there was more we could have done to encourage the group to continue and assist us in the maintenance and management of the facility. Also, they may well have proved helpful regarding possible future expansion of the facility, creation of new facilities, and in offering help and advice to other groups aspiring to similar projects.