Teenagers in Ripon have said they are glad they can continue using the city’s skatepark during the summer holidays.
While large areas of the Camp Close site on Knaresborough Road have been fenced off for safety reasons, access to the skatepark and basketball court remains open.
One teenager skateboarder spoke for his friends when he said:
“It’s a bit of a pain having to walk all the way around the outside to get here, but I’m pleased we can still use it.”
The skatepark and basketball court are adjacent to the 28-year-old leisure centre building, where remediation works on unstable foundations are under way.
The playing fields at Camp Close are now an active building site where large machinery is in use, carrying out the £3.5 million project behind large yellow hoardings.
There are numerous signs warning the public not to enter the area, while other signs call for parents to keep children out. CCTV cameras are also in operation.
However, as well as the many warning signs, construction company Willmott Dixon has installed one showing the route into the skatepark.
When the works began in June, North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director for culture, leisure, archives and libraries, Jo Ireland, said:
“By addressing these historic issues, it allows us the opportunity to ensure future generations will be able to access modern sport and leisure facilities in their city for many years to come.
“Once the works have been completed the original leisure centre facility can be refurbished as planned – which includes an extended gym, two new activity studios, a spin studio as well as meeting facilities – and complement the 25 metre, six-lane swimming pool that opened last year.”
Work is scheduled to go on until spring 2024 and in the meantime a temporary gym will remain in use on the car park near the entrance to the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre.
The £300,000 facility, operated by Brimhams Active on behalf of North Yorkshire Council, includes Technogym equipment.
Customers are able to use the changing and shower facilities at the swimming pool as well as the sauna and steam suite. Group exercise classes continue to be provided at Hugh Ripley Hall.
Read more:
- Ripon children invited to join the free summer Funfest
- Temporary gym installed at Ripon leisure centre
