'Family-friendly' skate park will 'inspire' next generation

Dave Leavy says it's great to have somewhere local to practice his skateboarding

Larne has recently tasted victory on the football pitch but that may not be the only sporting success for the County Antrim town.

A new facility may just inspire a new generation of skateboarding talent.

The newly opened skate park features interconnected ramps and has been designed to cater to all skill levels.

Dave Leavy, 18, who lives near the park and has been skateboarding for more than two years, says that "it's great to have such a space in the local area" so he doesn't have to travel any distance to practice his moves.

The £220,000 investment has been delivered through the Mid & East Antrim Council’s Out to Play strategy.

From skateboarding to BMX, scootering, and inline skating the site is also designed to ensure accessibility and inclusion for all abilities.

The newly opened skatepark aims to enhance play facilities in the area

'Can help inspire the next generation'

Daniel Hamilton says the new facility will inspire the next generation

It's not just those on skateboards practicing their flicks and tricks who are making use of the new facilities.

Daniel Hamilton, 23, from Larne used to BMX.

He feels not only will it encourage him to take the sport back up but it will "inspire" his younger sister to take it up.

Daniel adds that when he was growing up he had to travel to Belfast and beyond if he wanted to practice BMX but now the younger generation have these brand new facilities on their doorstep which will only increase the numbers taking part in the sport.

'Family-friendly facility'

Gemma Lynd and her seven-year old son Elliot trying out the new skate park

Mum-of-two Gemma Lynd, from nearby Ballygally, is delighted with the new facility.

She says it is a "great attribute for the local community" and the family-friendly facility provides a "nice way for children to socialise safely" in the local area.

Gemma also feels that Larne can get an unfair reputation at times compared to other towns and hopes the new skate park will encourage more people to visit and enjoy the area.

'Olympic boost'

Skateboarding is becoming an increasingly popular pastime for young people in Northern Ireland.

It featured in the recent Paris Olympics - a fact which Dave feels has given the sport a much-needed "boost in popularity."

Northern Ireland is the first part of the UK to include skateboarding in the list of sports that can be studied in GCSE PE.

Dr Jim Donaghey, a research fellow at Ulster University who is leading a skateboarding project, feels that this popularity and recognition mean "the skateboarding community here are seeing themselves as legitimate users of public spaces in Northern Ireland".

Facilities like this one in Larne, he feels, only enhance that feeling.

Who knows, perhaps a skater from Larne could follow in the footsteps of Rhys McClenaghan or Daniel Wiffin by winning an Olympic Gold? Skateboarding is a sport which is continuing to grow and grow.