Ambitious plans to revamp an abandoned crazy golf course into a large £1 million free-to-use skatepark will start next year.
Catering for absolute beginners to seasoned professionals, the highly anticipated urban sports facility in Cliftonville will welcome guests in 2026.
Spanning almost an acre, the park could boast various-sized bowls, ramps and ledges, capable of catering for 100 users.
It will be built in Ethelbert Crescent, situated in one of Margate's most deprived areas.
Owner of nearby Skate Pharm shop Nic Powley, 52, is helping to get the project off the ground, and believes the scheme will encourage a sense of community while, hopefully, reduce antisocial behaviour.
“Skateboarding is an activity with a low entry cost, these are accessible sports for people on low incomes, it is not like you need to shell out for loads of gear like so many other sports,” he said.
“And this park will be for everyone who wants to use it, young and old, experienced and beginner – hopefully we’ll even get people back into the sport who have lapsed.
“We already have a good skateboard community in Thanet but we do not have anywhere to meet and go at the same time – this will provide that.
“I’m 52 now, and my friendship circle ranges from so many different ages in the sport – it will be a place where skaters can meet like-minded people.
“It is well-known skateparks reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in an area, and this project will do just that.”
With skateboarding in public areas causing potential property damage – benches, for example – parks provide a dedicated space.
And a police study in Strathclyde revealed a marked drop of 34.9 per cent in levels of youth disorder in the ward where the park was located.
In the report, officers noted a code of honour among the park users, encouraging young people to behave appropriately for fear of spoiling the experience for others.
Such are the health benefits of skating, other parks are in the pipeline across the county.
The sport is already taught at Folkestone Academy, where the principal recently unveiled plans to build a park.
In 2022, the world’s first multi-storey skate park was launched near the town centre, overlooking the A260.
Folkestone, like many Kent towns, has a burgeoning skateboarding scene, with the £17 million F51 facility attracting skaters and riders both nationally and globally.
Last year, Thanet District Council (TDC) unveiled plans to revamp graffiti-hit Jackey Bakers in Ramsgate with a skate park, clubhouse, cafe and new pitches.
The Margate plans come after residents came together in 2013 to build a DIY skatepark called the Little Oasis at the site.
But it was deemed unsafe by TDC, which had it flattened in 2014 and has been unused since.
The skatepark scheme was originally allocated £750,000 of the £22 million awarded by the government as part of the Margate Town Deal in 2021.
But Thanet district councillors approved a recommendation to reallocate a further £175,000 of funding to the project at a cabinet meeting in March.
The local authority is also contributing £59,000 in addition to the Town Deal investment.
Artist Tracy Emin, who lives in Margate, has pledged funding to the project but the specific amount is yet to be confirmed.
TDC says opportunities for additional match funding are also being explored.
Its spokesman said: "Through the Margate Town Deal and council funding, the Margate Skatepark currently has a total of £984,000 in secured funding.
"The aim is for construction to begin in the spring of 2025 with completion by March 2026, in line with requirements of the Town Deal.”
TDC says it will lead the delivery of this project.
A tender will be advertised on the Kent Business Portal, for a specialist design and build contractor and when appointed, delivery time-scales will be confirmed.
A spokesperson added: "So far, site surveys have been carried out, and a formal market exercise with contractors has taken place.
There have been discussions with people who have created other skatepark projects across the country, to understand what could be learned from their approach and provide ideas for best practice.
"There will also be engagement and consultation with the local community and other stakeholders during the design development of the skatepark and ahead of a planning application."
TDC says it aims to “create something for the people of Margate to be proud of” and “give a safe community space to young people”.
The park will be designed to cater for absolute beginners up to experienced skateboarders.
It will be free to access and there will be coaching on offer to help people improve their skills.
The site will also host events, workshops and other activities.
A TDC spokesman said: “The site is approx 4,000 square metres (just under one acre) and will be developed in full for the skatepark.
“When complete it’s likely to accommodate between 50 and 100 users at any one time.
"The park itself will be made from concrete. Typically, a large skatepark will feature a range of ramps, bowls and street obstacles. The specific structures and features of the skatepark will be agreed during the design development stage and will be budget dependent.
"In addition to the skating facilities, the aim is to have a public toilet on site with plans for a kiosk."
Human Interest Kent Planning Thanet Brad Harper
