Following a request to Immingham Town council 5 years ago where a group of young people were given £5,000 to kick-start a project to gain the town a skate park; One Voice were asked to look at moving this project forward.
In September 2009 a sub group came together to look at the feasibility of the project; research and consultation was completed to determine a need for the facility and identify potential sites. Suitability reports were then carried out along with police reports and community consultation to determine which of the potential sites would be the most suitable one to progress the possible development of the project.
The young people of the town played a committed role in this project and as well as taking active roles they also planned a range of fundraising events within the town so they were able to make a financial contribution themselves. A series of band nights were held which not only raised funds but also showed a positive impact on the community, such as reduced crime rates as people engaged in positive activities.
The preferred site was determined as Homestead park Immingham – design workshops were carried out with a number of skate park developers who tendered for the project and further consultation was carried out to choose the preference for final design which was Maverick Skatepark’s design. Planning permission was granted and substantial amounts of funding was secured from Leader and Wren. One Voice and Conocco also committed funding to ensure this £100,000 project could go ahead.
Building work commenced in January until April 2012.
A competition was held to name the park which is now called IMM-SPIRATION. The young people enjoyed learning new skills at a skate school in preparation for the opening which was sponsored by ABP this was held 21st April pro Riders from Team extreme and Top UK rider Josh Manhead Young showcased their skills with displays to wow the crowd. Live Band performances were enjoyed with a range of entertainment and rides for everyone to enjoy. A graffiti workshop was carried out during the event to include ideas from the young people in the developed graffiti wall.Historic antique tool gets state-of-art skate park project rolling
Thursday, January 12, 2012
A 100-YEAR-OLD spade has dug the first sod for the new Immingham skate park.
The construction of the £100,000 project is under way at Homestead Park.
Chairman of the community group One Voice Elaine Norton said: “I originally started this project and it has been a long two years, but we have worked very productively.
“Other projects like this one in different areas have taken six to ten years to complete.
“The success has come from the relationship with the young people of Immingham.
“They have put so much work into it and that is key to projects like this.
“It is expected to be a ten-week installation period, depending on the weather.
“A free event will be set up for the launch which will include skate jams, live bands and entertainment.
“We are also trying get some well-known skaters and BMX riders to get involved.
“The all-inclusive facility will be for all wheeled sports.”
The same spade was also used to dig the first sod at Immingham Docks 100 years ago.
North Lincolnshire Council’s Leader programme and Waste Recycling Environmental both donated £47,500 to the project.
Member of the Leader group Margaret Solomon said: “This is such a good cause and a great project and well worth supporting.
“This will benefit the community by giving them something to do.
“It is also a great year to do it as it is one of the first events to mark the centenary of Immingham.
“Using the 100-year-old spade fits in very well and I was delighted to hold it and be a part of the event.”
As reported, the development of the state-of-the-art skating and biking area has been made possible by the combined efforts of Immingham Town Council, One Voice and local people.
Mayor Councillor Neil Castle said: “This is a momentous day and something we have been working on for the past two years.
“It will be an amazing facility for the town and the surrounding area.
“We hope many people will come and use it from all around.
“We found that the young residents complained that there is nothing to do.
“A scheme like this is long over due and although it is a huge investment it is important to keep Immingham moving forward.”
There is currently a Facebook campaign, started by local people, with more than 500 members petitioning to bring some of the country’s top skaters and BMX riders to the town.
For more, visit www.facebook.com and search Immingham skate park.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
A 100-YEAR-OLD spade has dug the first sod for the new Immingham skate park.
The construction of the £100,000 project is under way at Homestead Park.
Chairman of the community group One Voice Elaine Norton said: “I originally started this project and it has been a long two years, but we have worked very productively.
“Other projects like this one in different areas have taken six to ten years to complete.
“The success has come from the relationship with the young people of Immingham.
“They have put so much work into it and that is key to projects like this.
“It is expected to be a ten-week installation period, depending on the weather.
“A free event will be set up for the launch which will include skate jams, live bands and entertainment.
“We are also trying get some well-known skaters and BMX riders to get involved.
“The all-inclusive facility will be for all wheeled sports.”
The same spade was also used to dig the first sod at Immingham Docks 100 years ago.
North Lincolnshire Council’s Leader programme and Waste Recycling Environmental both donated £47,500 to the project.
Member of the Leader group Margaret Solomon said: “This is such a good cause and a great project and well worth supporting.
“This will benefit the community by giving them something to do.
“It is also a great year to do it as it is one of the first events to mark the centenary of Immingham.
“Using the 100-year-old spade fits in very well and I was delighted to hold it and be a part of the event.”
As reported, the development of the state-of-the-art skating and biking area has been made possible by the combined efforts of Immingham Town Council, One Voice and local people.
Mayor Councillor Neil Castle said: “This is a momentous day and something we have been working on for the past two years.
“It will be an amazing facility for the town and the surrounding area.
“We hope many people will come and use it from all around.
“We found that the young residents complained that there is nothing to do.
“A scheme like this is long over due and although it is a huge investment it is important to keep Immingham moving forward.”
There is currently a Facebook campaign, started by local people, with more than 500 members petitioning to bring some of the country’s top skaters and BMX riders to the town.
For more, visit www.facebook.com and search Immingham skate park.
Immingham skate park scheme could soon be reality
Thursday, September 01, 2011
IMMINGHAM’S extreme sports enthusiasts are jumping for joy after a project to build a state-of-the-art skate park in the town was finally given the green light.
As reported, planning chiefs earlier this year approved proposals for a £100,000 skating and biking arena to be installed at Homestead Park as early as next year.
It was in response to the growing demand from the town’s youngsters to create a fun outdoor facility for the community,
Now, Immingham town council and One Voice Neighbourhood Management Group have announced that the park can finally be ordered after Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN) and their donors, Waste Recycling Group Ltd (WRG), pledged the final £47,500 needed to start the project.
This, when added to the £47,500 of match funding from the LEADER programme and the £5,000 contribution already promised by the town council, means that the scheme is now fully funded.
Work is expected to start after Christmas with those behind the plans hoping for the park to be ready before next Easter.
Elaine Norton, chairman of One Voice, said: “We are absolutely ecstatic – it is fantastic news.
“I am so pleased for all the young people who have been involved, who have raised funds and been so patient. I really want to thank them all for their commitment.
“This has not been an easy project to deliver, but to create a park from start to finish in less than two years is amazing.
“I also want to thank the town council which has been instrumental in making this happen, not only by providing the land, but through funding us in the early stages, supporting us every step of the way and providing the expertise necessary to complete all the legal processes.
“It has been a perfect example of how working together can make things happen.”
Councillor Mick Burnett, deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire Council and portfolio holder for health, wellbeing, tourism and culture at the authority, said: “This is great news for the young people of Immingham. This is just the sort of project that we need more of in North East Lincolnshire.
“It just shows what can be achieved when organisations work together for the good of their community.”
Josh Taylor, 16, said: “I have been involved since the beginning of the project and to hear that we have got the last bit of funding is brilliant – all the hard work has paid off.
“Many people will be happy that they have somewhere close to home where they can enjoy a sport they love.”
Mickey Everett said: “It means a lot to me to get this park. I travel a lot to use other parks, but now I can develop my skills because I will be able to ride every day.”
Town councillors vote unanimously to back £100k skatepark plan
Monday, June 13, 2011
PLANS for a £100,000 skatepark in Immingham’s Homestead Park are firmly on track after members of Immingham Town Council voted unanimously to back the proposals.
Construction of the skatepark is due to start after a decision on funding is made in August.
Young people in the town have already pledged their commitment to getting the project off the ground, raising about £3,000 for the facility by staging band nights.
A total of £5,000 has been earmarked towards the fund by town councillors and £47,000 has been pledged by grant-aiding body the Leader fund.
Now organisers hope to attract a further £47,000 from recycling grant body WREN.
As reported, North East Lincolnshire Council planners have already unanimously approved the application to build a skatepark at Homestead Park in Church Lane.
In a letter to councillors, skateboarder Connor Benson, 14, thanked councillors for their support.
He said: “Without this skatepark, the young people of Immingham will have to carry on travelling to places such as Keelby.”
He told how young people often cycle with their skateboards strapped to their backs or walk to Keelby to use the resource and are very excited at the prospect of having a similar facility on their doorstep.
He said: “If we are successful no one will have to take risks to do something they are passionate about.
“Many young people have been waiting for this for a long time and without the support of Immingham town council it could not have been possible for us to come this far. We really appreciate that you have listened to what we want and supported us with this.”
However, Councillor Willie Weir said he was concerned for residents living near the park.
He said the area had been flooded over a year ago and a concrete facility would make matters worse.
He said: “There are other places more suitable for a skatepark.”
Other councillors questioned whether the public consultation had been adequate.
But Immingham resident and youth and community worker Elaine Norton told councillors the proposal had been overwhelmingly supported by residents and young people.
Consultation had taken place in all the schools, as well as North East Lincolnshire Council’s own consultation, she said.
She added the skatepark would be officially open by 2012.
The skatepark is due to take about eight weeks to build after drainage work is approved and completed.
Keep on track
VOTE: Have your say on which skatepark design you want to see built
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Community group One Voice has started a consultation process to find which of the two designs is most popular.
Forms will be sent out to Oasis Academy Immingham and the primary schools, and residents will also be available to vote online on the Facebook groups One Voice and We Want A Skatepark In Immingham.
Once the preferred design is selected, a planning application will be submitted to build the £100,000 facility at Homestead Park.
Youth worker Elaine Norton, who has spearheaded the project, is hoping work can begin in June and be completed in time for the summer holidays.
She said: “This project will benefit the wider community and not just the potential users, so it is important the community as a whole has the opportunity to express a preference.
“Both designs reflect the needs of the potential users, offering a facility for skaters, bikers and bladers of all ages and abilities.
“There is also a feature to represent the local heritage of the pilgrim fathers.
“The young people of Immingham have shown determination and commitment throughout the past 18 months, researching the project and fundraising to try to achieve their aspirations for Immingham.
“This is a really exciting stage of the project for our community.
“The designs are both fantastic and it’s great for the young people to see their ideas reflected in these designs.”
Youngsters have say on Immingham skate park plans
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
They will now use comments and ideas from the youngsters to draw up a design for the proposed facility.
In addition, questionnaires are being sent out to local primary schools and distributed among community groups in the town. They can also be picked up from Immingham Civic Centre.
The results of these will be considered alongside Groundwork’s designs and a crime report by the police in order to identify a possible location for the skatepark.
Read comments from those involved – and local youngsters, in today’s Grimsby Telegraph.
The next band night to raise money for the proposed Immingham skate park is on Friday night.
The event is being organised by youngsters from Immingham Young People’s Centre and will take place at the town’s Civic Centre.
Local act DOG will be headlining the gig.
Tickets are £4.50 and are available from Immingham Civic Centre, Immingham Young People’s Centre, Oasis Academy and Immingham Library.
PDF’s of the Consultation Reports
Report from Skate Park Consultation 1st June 2010
Consultation Results June 2010
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