It is rare to walk through the Derry city centre, particularly Ebrington and the Guildhall Squares, without seeing a young person on a skateboard.
The demand for a council-run skate park appears to be bigger than ever.
More than a year since the campaign for a skate park began, its founder Ronan McElroy said that momentum is growing.
He told MyDerry: “Skating has always had a following in the city and always will and I have noticed a huge increase in the presence of young people skating recently.
“The opening of the local Basement skate shop and establishment of local skate brand Ironboards have helped massively to promote the sport. There is a huge need for a council-run facility for young skaters in the town, which will in turn help to support these local businesses.”
The campaign began back in March 2020 and has picked up momentum since
Ronan said: “I was constantly seeing young people skating over around Ebrington and in Guildhall Square. It reminded me of myself when I was younger and skating around various spots in the town.
“Some locals were not happy with the young people ‘jumping out in front of them’ and ‘being a nuisance’. However, there was no dedicated spaces to allow skaters to practice safely, like there is for most other sports in the town.”
An online petition was launched reaching thousands of signatures and local support has been growing since.
Ronan said: “The petition was made into a proposal and brought to council by Eamonn McCann. The council and Mayor were 100% behind the idea.”
Signs regarding the campaign can be spotted across the city, often made by skaters themselves.
Ronan said: “The support has been amazing. Mark Patterson at BBC Radio Foyle has been key in promoting the campaign. Anyone I have spoken with has been hugely supportive. We are one of the few major cities in Europe to not have a council run facility.”
Developments have been made, with a private skate park newly opened on the Trench Road.
Ronan said: “Thanks to a few local investors there is now a privately run park in the town, DC Skatepark, and I am grateful to see such a development. However, what we still need is for the council to hold up on their promise of a council run facility.
“Since the first meeting there has been a lot of work done, we are now currently at the stage of choosing a location and continued meetings.”
“The end goal is to get a fully functioning skate park that is council run. We need a safe dedicated space for skaters to practice, hang out and socialise, somewhere people can come along and spectate. We will then be able to hold events to promote our local skaters and bring a new element of tourism to the city.”
For more Derry news, visit our new site MyDerry.
