“THERE’S a reason skateboarding has become an Olympic sport, they wouldn’t have done that if it was full of thugs.”
That’s the view of a man who is campaigning for a skate park to be built in Bournemouth town centre – and he has the backing of the mayor.
Skateboard enthusiast Nick Anscombe has launched the Horseshoe Common Skate Spot Project in an attempt to revitalise the “dark and decrepit” space while providing a hub for the skating community.
A petition recently started by Nick has already amassed more than 500 signatures and the 25-year-old told the Echo: “I moved to Bournemouth first to go to university in 2015 and then permanently in 2020 and was immediately integrated into the local skate scene. I felt like I was part of a family, they took me under their wing and made me feel part of the community.
“Despite the following being so strong, there really aren’t too many amazing places near the town centre to skate. Most people congregate in the Square which isn’t really a place for skating but it’s one of the only open spaces around.”
Nick said it was a fortuitous conversation with Bournemouth mayor David Kelsey that spurred him into action to get a new skate park facility built in Horseshoe Common. “It’s a crime hotspot,” said Nick.
“In 2018 there were 400 crime reports around Horseshoe Common. That’s crazy. Everybody I’ve spoken to seem really up for the project.
“Skateboarding is mentally and physically stimulating, it gets people outside and is one of the only organic activities you can do both on your own and with others – and it’s free. It would give an outlet to younger people to stop them going down the wrong path.”
Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr David Kelsey said: “I personally think it would be a great idea to put a facility like that there. I remember meeting [Nick]. I was walking across the Square and decided to engage with this group skating. We asked where they would want to go if there was infrastructure in place and it seemed Horseshoe Common would be an apt place.”
Regarding the suggestion a skate park would reduce crime in the area, Cllr Kelsey added: “I think for that reason alone it’s worth discussing. Opening a good facility on what is a pretty dark and dingy area could be a real bonus for the area.”
The mayor said the idea was “on the agenda” and would be further discussed.
For Nick, the petition is not the “be all end all” as he wants to team with local businesses to gain further support for the plans as well as help improve the public image of the skateboard community.
He said: “There may be a misconception that this would be a multi-million-pound project. It wouldn’t. The designs I look at are basic and simple and would be beneficial to the community. If it can drive away crime from the Common, it’s good for everyone.”
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