First phase of skate park and BMX track revamp could open in summer
Local builders have been donating their time and equipment to help complete Brandon's new BMX track. Photo: Gary Brocklehurst - Credit: Gary Brocklehurst
A newly-revamped skate park and BMX track could be partially opened in summer as part of a project to provide youngsters with a safe and social space to get active.
Former Brandon town councillor, Gary Brocklehurst. Photo: Emily Thomson - Credit: Archant
Volunteers and local builders have been giving up their time to work on Brandon’s Skate and BMX park project, led by former town councillor Gary Brocklehurst to create an outdoor area for children and teens to enjoy.
Work started at Brandon’s Remembrance Playing Field, owned by the town council, in January, and Mr Brocklehurst hopes the first stage of the project, a BMX track, will be ready for use this summer.
He said: “The main reason I started this project was because people constantly moaning about youngsters hanging around on street corners and that kids have nothing to do.
“The remembrance playing field is an absolutely fantastic place with loads of football pitches, a scout hut and allotments so I thought what else could we do here?
Local builders have been donating their time and equipment to help complete Brandon's new BMX track. Photo: Gary Brocklehurst - Credit: Gary Brocklehurst
“The skate park has been there about five, maybe 10 years, but it has got to the point where it is actually dangerous to use because the metal has started lifting.
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“So I thought, why don’t we upgrade the current skate park and reinstall a BMX track.
“I think it is a good clean healthy activity for youngsters, something they will actually enjoy and a place where they can come to socialise.”
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Once the track is complete, Mr Brocklehurst, a retired taxi driver, says work will begin to upgrade the now dilapidated skate park which has become a hazard for users.
Plans for the new BMX track at Brandon Remembrance Playing Field. Photo: Gary Brocklehurst - Credit: Gary Brocklehurst
He also hopes to introduce a pump track for younger children and a training area.
The 60-year-old added: “When it’s done, we will have a proper BMX track, which will have bends and jumps like a little race circuit.
“Then we will concentrate on the skate park and we are going to look at recovering it.
“But we are also going to build a pump track for the younger children and the final stage will be finding a little tarmac area to do bicycle training.
The skate park at Brandon's Remembrance Playing Field is set for a major revamp as part of the Brandon Skate and BMX park project. Photo: Gary Brocklehurst - Credit: Gary Brocklehurst
“A lot of youngsters are really keen to get involved and I think this is going to be a real positive for the town.”
To donate or get involved with the project email Mr Brocklehurst, at gary@bordercars.com
The skate park at Brandon's Remembrance Playing Field is set for a major revamp as part of the Brandon Skate and BMX park project. Photo: Gary Brocklehurst - Credit: Gary Brocklehurst
The skate park at Brandon's Remembrance Playing Field is set for a major revamp as part of the Brandon Skate and BMX park project. Photo: Matthew Rickard - Credit: Matthew Rickard
