Plans have been revealed for a ‘world class’ sporting facility in Darwen.
A planning application has been submitted by the community-led Junction 4 Skatepark that would see it transformed to create a striking new urban sports village.
The facility, a first of its kind for the area, could be used as a venue to hold UK Olympic qualifying events and the BMX World Championships.
It’s being backed by the Darwen Town Deal Board – which secured £250,000 of Government funding to support the project.
This could soon be doubled by British Cycling ‘Places to Ride’ cash with a bid currently in the final stages.
Facilities Manager at the skatepark, Anthony Ramsey said:
“This is an incredible opportunity to develop something really good for the town.
“It’s a chance to transform land that hasn’t been used for more than a decade in to a world class sporting facility where we can develop local riders for the Olympic Games.
“Our plans involve creating an urban sports village that will include a street skatepark, dirt jump and pump track and BMX contest area.
“It would be fenced by a really modern container village that can be used as storage for the contest ramps, a repair and maintenance area and viewing area.
“The containers could also be used by local businesses, including street food vendors, and have the potential to create accommodation for visitors – helping to support the local economy.”
The planning application has been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for consideration.
Anthony added:
“This will be a family-orientated venue where parents will be able to come and watch their children progress in new Olympic sports in a really cool and trendy environment.
“The facility will be included in the BMX Freestyle National Strategic plan to develop local riders for the Olympic Games and both British Cycling and Skateboard GB/England are backing the project and will be supporting with talent programmes.
“The street courses will give BMX, scooter and skateboard street riders a place to ride away from the town centres. It will be a safe haven for all ages to explore wheeled sports.”
The Town Deal funding for the skatepark is part of £750,000 secured by the board from Government for ‘quick win’ projects.
The proposals are part of a wider sports village planned for the town with funding also already secured for AFC Darwen.
A bid for up to £25m of Town Deal funding to kick-start the transformation of the town is due to be submitted in the early New Year.
Chair of the Darwen Town Deal Board, Wayne Wild, Group Commercial Director of WEC Group – one of the town’s biggest employers, said:
“Projects like this really are what the town deal is about.
“It’s very rare that town’s like ours get the chance to create a world class sporting facility – offering youngsters a chance to compete in the Olympics!
“Often residents tell us that we need to be doing more for our youngsters in the town, this is a fantastic scheme to do just that as well as boosting visitors to the area and supporting the town’s economy.”
Find out more about the skatepark at: www.junction4skatepark.co.uk or find them on Facebook and Instagram.
You can read more about the Darwen Town Deal at: www.darwentowndeal.co.uk
