Fundraising starts for Huntingdon indoor skatepark

Jason Emery says an indoor venue will offer year-round skateboarding

A skateboard instructor has ambitious plans to open Cambridgeshire's first indoor skateboarding venue.

Jason Emery, 32, from Huntingdon, is in the process of raising £20,000 to help with the start-up costs associated with opening a centre.

Currently, £3,000 has been raised. Sport England will pledge £7,000 once the target hits £5,000.

He said skateboarding was "something that anyone can get into and enjoy".

Mr Emery took up skateboarding when he was 12. He now runs two businesses connected with the sport - a non-profit company based in Brampton that teaches people how to skateboard and a specialist skateboard equipment shop in Huntingdon.

He currently teaches nearly 50 children aged from six to teenagers every week at outdoor skateparks in and around Huntingdon. The nearest indoor skateboard facility to Huntingdon is in Corby, Northamptonshire, 30 miles away.

Mr Emery finds he is at the mercy of the weather - just a brief shower of rain makes an outdoor skateboard session too dangerous - so he has hatched a plan to provide an indoor venue for all-year-round skateboarding.

He has taken to social media to raise an initial £20,000 which would help with surveys, planning applications, materials and labour costs for building ramps. He plans to contact Huntingdonshire District Council to ask if it could help find a suitable unit once monies are in.

Jason Emery says an indoor venue would be beneficial for the community

"I want to create an indoor space where skateboarders can come all year round, no matter what the weather," said Mr Emery.

"Having an indoor facility would be hugely beneficial for the community. We could even teach during winter when we usually cease operating."

Inclusive sport

He added: "We've noticed that there's been a sharp increase in female participation, often seeing more girls in a class than boys.

"Skateboarding is ideal for children that don't enjoy participating in traditional sports. It's meant we've been able to provide physical exercise for students that may otherwise have not been getting any.

"It is really very popular, we are expecting a further boost as skateboarding will once again be in the Olympics so you'll see it on your telly for Paris 2024 soon."

Huntingdonshire District Council has been approached for comment.