Get your skates on – refurbishment work to get off the ground at Kirkwall Skatepark

Refurbishment works to the Kirkwall Skatepark are due to get underway next week. (14 Feb)

Thanks to partnership working between Orkney Islands Council and the Orkney Wheeled Sports Club a number of improvement measures and new features will enhance the park further.

OIC Leisure and Culture Service Manager, Garry Burton, said: “Funding of £25,000 for the project is coming from the Council’s allocation from the Scottish Government Play Area Renewal Programme in 2021/22. It is hoped that this will be a Government scheme that will continue over the next three years, meaning the Council will be looking to work closely with communities to establish how best to use any future funding for play areas.

“The skatepark, which opened in 2005, requires updating not just in terms of the surfacing but also to keep those who use it progressing by learning new skills. We are delighted to be moving this forward thanks to the input of those who make most use of the skatepark.”

The original contractor for the park, Heddle Construction Ltd, will carry out the improvement works, including resurfacing to required areas and the addition of three new features – a jumpbox, a rail and an extension to one of the embankments which also has a manual pad attached.

Works are due to begin the week of Monday 14 February and take around six weeks to complete. It is anticipated that the park will require to be closed in parts as necessary during the works period.

Jean Roi, of the Orkney Wheeled Sports Club (OWSC) and regular user of the skatepark, said: “Following discussions with the OWSC in 2021 the Council’s Sport and Leisure Service was aware of the developments that were required. I did a mock-up of some suggested improvements and after a bit of back and forth with the council we agreed on a design that fitted within the budget and the needs of  the OWSC and the wider community.

“We had to do it all within a short timescale, but we are very happy to hear that the works will be going ahead and are once again thankful to the Council’s Sport and Leisure Service for working with us on this, and hope for more of this collaboration in the future hopefully.”

The works mean that intermediate level users will be able to progress in the sports including skateboarding, BMX and scooters.

Jean Roi added: “The new features will give users new ways of using the skatepark and allow them to learn new skills, as well as contributing to increased participation in sport and physical activity levels.”

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “The park has become a popular spot for wheeled sports enthusiasts and only last month featured on the BBC Scotland TV programme, The Adventure Show. This is yet another fantastic example of the community working in tandem with the Council to get the very best outcome.”