After hard work and commitment from local people and Teignbridge Council, work is finally ready to start on the construction of an exciting new state-of-the-art Extreme Sports facility at Decoy Country Park.
Kye Forte, world champion BMX rider and driving force behind the project, met Teignbridge Council Chairman David Weekes to break ground on the site on Tuesday 12 August 2008 ahead of construction getting underway.
The work on the site is being undertaken by Gravity Ltd, and is due to last for 12 weeks. It is hoped that the completed facility will be ready for its grand opening in November. The BMX and skate park will be one of the best in the country, and will be unrivalled in the South West. When completed, it will feature top-quality Concrete Bowl Skate park, secure fencing, CCTV, a timber acoustic noise barrier, and nearby BMX track alterations: the result being a brand new attraction for Teignbridge.
The project has been a long time coming for Kye Forte and the other members of the Decoy BMX Dirt Jump Club, who have worked for years to make their dream become a reality. Teignbridge Council has donated months of officer time to the project, helping the club to develop and consult on their plans and supporting them through the planning process. The authority also contributed £50k of funding to the project to help it on its way.
Throughout the development of the plans, the clubs involved have worked with local residents to establish a platform from which the Extreme Sports facility could move forward in partnership, and within a framework which satisfied and addressed the concerns and wishes of local residents. This included a commitment from local clubs to making the area a drink and drug-free zone, with all involved at the clubs taking a first-aid course as well.
Cllr Anne Fry, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Recreational Services said:
"It's wonderful to know that work is getting underway on the construction of this state-of-the-art Extreme Sports facility. I know that the project has been a true labour of love for the young people involved, and they set a glowing example for others in the district.
"We have been delighted to support the project with £50k of funding and with a substantial amount of officer time, and we look forward to seeing the completion of one of the best skate and BMX facilities in the country.
"Teignbridge is blessed with some fantastically skilled young riders and skaters competing at a world-class level; and this new facility will go even further towards helping young people develop their skills in a safe and enjoyable environment.
"The facility will also seek to alleviate town centre issues and anti-social behaviour by providing a safe, designated area for young people to go. It will be covered by CCTV, ensuring that the area is safe and that if any issues arise are dealt with quickly and efficiently.
"The skate park will be yet another boost for the Green Flag Award winning Decoy Country Park, and I can't wait to see it put to good use in a couple of months."
Having gained planning permission for the facility in September 2007, the Dirt Jump Club was faced with the daunting prospect of raising £180k to construct the area. With help from Teignbridge they created a fundraising pack which was distributed locally and nationally. The project was also endorsed and awarded lottery funding from Sport England; Devon County Council and many other local organisations and businesses, as well as by national schemes and the local media.
Jim Clarke, Regional Director Sport England South West comments: "I am delighted to have supported this innovative project with lottery funding. It is particularly pleasing that it has been driven by the local young people and being an open access facility it's a great way to engage the community to get involved, get active, and really experience what a lifestyle sport has to offer. It demonstrates all of the aspects that sport should be: accessible, challenging, fun, healthy, and most of all - enjoyable for everyone," he said.
He further added: "Extreme sports are really taking off across the country and this will really help put Teignbridge and its young people on the map."
Kye Forte said:
"This has been a dream of ours for so long that I can't believe we're nearly there. This amazing facility has been supported really well locally, and we're just grateful like you wouldn't believe.
"For us to be here in this position now is quite literally a dream come true, and I can't wait to put in some serious time at the park when it's finished. This facility is going to place Newton Abbot firmly on the extreme sports map, and I know it's going to attract the interest of sportspeople right around the country.
"The great turn-out at the recent Red Bull Empire of Dirt event has proven that there's a real passion for extreme sports locally, and now young people right across Teignbridge are going to have an awesome new place to pick up some skills."
Specialist contractors Gravity Ltd have worked with Kye and local riders to design the facility. The park will feature a 'splat bowl' with 'moon crater' and will range from 5' and 7' in depth, requiring the removal of an impressive 1200 tons of dirt.
Gravity designer Marc Churchill said:
"This will be a unique place to ride and will be well worth a visit when riders are touring the West Country. After a long time on the drawing board we are all really looking forward to getting this skate park ready and open for everyone to use."
Notes to Editors
1) In December 2007, Teignbridge Council received £250k more than anticipated for the sale of three of its properties in Newton Abbot, which were sold as part of its Asset Disposal programme. The funding given to Decoy Extreme Sports Area was sourced from this capital money.
2) Sport England is a non-departmental public body and National Lottery distributor. We are committed to creating a world leading community sports development system and increasing participation in sport. Sport England has been a statutory consultee on planning applications affecting playing fields since August 1996. We object to any application that is detrimental to sport, unless alternative provision of at least equivalent value is found elsewhere. For further information on Sport England South West, please log on to: http://www.sportengland.org/southwest
Michelle Kenney
Media and Communications Manager
Teignbridge District Council
Forde House
Newton Abbot
Devon TQ12 4XX
Tel: 01626 215135
Mob: 07776 497219
DX 121075 Newton Abbot 5
mkenney@teignbridge.gov.uk
www.teignbridge.gov.uk
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