Solitude skatepark designs showcased

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has held a meeting regarding a proposed new urban sports facility based in Solitude Park.
Solitude Park, BanbridgeSolitude Park, Banbridge
Solitude Park, Banbridge

Representatives of X-Move and Spraoi Linn, the companies behind the design of the new skate park, were at hand to showcase the initial design of the park.

Feedback was encouraged from all those who attended and resulted in a number of small changes being made to the design.

Once the design has been completed the council will show the plans to their insurers and then the Planning Department.

Should the plans be approved, building will commence and the new facility should open before the end of the financial year.

Suggestions for a name for the park are being welcomed.

It was agreed that Precision Community Group, a group of urban sports enthusiasts working closely with the council, would collate the suggested names and put the top three to a vote on their Facebook page.

The meeting was well attended by the young people who plan to use the facility but some parents felt it wasn’t publicised well enough.

On Facebook, Katie Walker said: “As a parent of a skating teenager I didn’t know anything about the meeting.”

Emmalene Magill, who attended the meeting, said: “It was very well attended by the guys who are going to use it in the future but me and my husband were the only parents there.”

She also praised the meeting.

“It looks like the project is finally getting off the ground and should hopefully give the older kids somewhere to go and something to do.”

In response, a council statement said: “The recent public meeting to discuss plans for the proposed urban sports facility in Solitude Park was targeted at potential users of the facility in order to gain their input into the design.

“The consultation meeting was advertised to those that attended a previous public meeting.

“It was also promoted on the council website, in the local press and social media.

“The council were delighted with the number of young people who attended and their input was of great value.

“The plans can now be viewed in the council Civic Building, Banbridge, for anyone who was unable to attend the meeting.