Funding secured for new skatepark at the Knap
In partnership with the Richard Taylor Memorial Fund and Sport Wales, funds have been identified to develop a new concrete park on the site of the existing facility at the Knap.
The current park, established as a tribute and memorial to highly-respected Barry-based skater and skier Richard Taylor, is in need of complete replacement.
Given the success of Team GB at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2022 in skateboarding and BMX, the opportunity to completely replace the facility with a new concrete park is something all partners are keen to deliver.
The Richard Taylor Memorial Fund has confirmed a contribution of £30,000, obtained through the South Wales Police Youth Trust and The Waterloo Foundation, towards a new park, with additional funding coming from the Council.
An application to Sport Wales has also now been approved that provides the majority of the funding required for the new facility.
Work is now underway, in consultation with the Richard Taylor Memorial Fund, to choose a design for the new Park.
The total cost of the new scheme is estimated at £330,000 and the facility will provide a new generation, as well as existing skaters and BMX users, with an exciting free to use skatepark.
Cllr Kathryn McCaffer, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Culture, said: “The provision of a new skatepark at the Knap will replace a popular and much-loved facility that has come to the end of its life. I am delighted that we have been able to move so quickly to secure funds to construct a new park. I am very grateful to the Richard Taylor Memorial Fund for both their generous contribution towards this project and for the expertise they bring to the exciting plans that are being developed.”
Richard’s brother, Rob Taylor, who has been assisting Council with this project, said: “It is great to see the progress being made by all parties on this project. We are delighted that something new and exciting will appear at the site in the future. Most importantly for the family it will continue to provide a quality free facility for all to use and provide the opportunity for all to be involved in activities that Richard excelled in.”
Owen Hathway, Assistant Director for Insight, Policy and Public Affairs at Sport Wales, said: “Sport Wales are delighted to be able to support the development of the brand new skate park in Barry. The funding secured through Welsh Government, as well as the local authority and the generous contribution from the charity, show this is a real collaborative effort. This will give the local community free access to high quality facilities for skateboarding and BMX - sports that are growing in popularity with young people since their inclusion at the Olympics
“Developments and facility enhancements, such as this one at Knap Skatepark, will help the sector in its aim to provide the opportunity to be physically active to every person in Wales.”