Looe skatepark lands £100,000 and is now within touching distance

Eleven months ago, a crowdfunding campaign was launched in the Millpool Centre with a target that looked out of reach. A skatepark for Looe, at a cost of £300,000.

Now there’s £24,000 left to find.

£100,000 from Cornwall Council

The project, a wheeled sports facility (WSF) for the town, has been awarded £100,000 from Cornwall Council‘s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) fund, subject to conditions.

The working group behind the scheme applied for the money earlier this year. CIL payments are set aside for infrastructure projects that benefit communities and support development. To qualify, applicants had to show local need and community support, and explain how their project would help ease the impact of development in an area or support it.

The group is led by Looe Development Trust and also includes Looe Town Council, Boundless Trust and the area’s two Cornwall Councillors, Cllr Gibbons and Cllr Candy. The group says the award would not have been possible without their support.

Where the fundraising stands

Including the CIL award, the total raised now stands at £276,000.

Several grant applications are still outstanding for the remaining £24,000, including one the group says it is very confident of winning following the CIL decision.

The working group and the Skatepark Action Group are working to close the gap so a start date can be agreed with Maverick, the firm lined up to build the park.

What the design shows

A concept design from Maverick Industries, labelled Concept Six and Millpool Skatepark, sets out a park measuring 42.2m by 7.5m.

It includes a mini ramp and quarterpipes (the tallest at 1350mm), flatbanks, ledges, a hubba ledge, round and flat rails, a bank to bank, plus steps and seating, standing space, a safety sign and litter bins.

“One last push”

Kim Spencer, the Looe Development Trustee leading the project, said: “I can hardly believe it was only 11 months ago that we stood in the Millpool Centre and launched our Crowdfunding campaign.

“Raising £300,000 in the current funding climate looked like an almost insurmountable task but so many town organisations and Trusts, voluntary groups, local people, businesses, our schools and the wider community have been as determined as we have been to make this long held dream a reality for the young people of Looe.

“We need one last push now to get this project across the line.”

The group says it is only in this position because of the community’s continued support with fundraising.

It’s not too late to donate or organise an event. Anyone who can help can contact Kim at [email protected] or follow the project on the A Skate Park for Looe Facebook page.

📷Concept Six design for the Looe skatepark. Credit: Maverick Industries