Hull is setting its sights on becoming a skateboarding friendly city and Hull City Council will officially launch the project next week.
It is hoped that following the significant investment by the Council recently into the 10 new skateboarding facilities in the city’s parks, a wider skateboarding legacy can be created and raise the profile of the city as a major national centre for skateboarding. Rock City, which has built a reputation as a centre of excellence for skateboarding culture in Hull, is supporting the Council in working towards this.
The skateboarding friendly city plan supports the delivery of Hull’s new 10 year Cultural Strategy (2016 -26), which has as a priority the building of arts and cultural audiences particularly with young people and highlighting the increase in participation through linking sport with arts and culture.
Additionally, the sport is projected to grow dramatically, receiving a major boost in interest and participation as the activity becomes a recognised Olympic sport in Tokyo 2020.
Councillor Terry Geraghty, Portfolio Holder of Culture and Leisure, said:
“It’s important that we create a wider legacy following Hull UK City of Culture 2017 and sports are a big part of the wider cultural offering. As a city we support the mainstream sports well, but we also need to ensure we support the more diverse sports such as skateboarding.
“With the support from Rock City, we will work towards our aspirations of becoming a major skateboarding destination in 2017, along with supporting the delivery of a pop-up skateboarding event in 2017.”
Councillor Daren Hale, Deputy Leader and St. Andrew’s ward councillor, said: “Rock City, which is in my ward, is a hugely popular and experienced all-weather centre and their expertise with our friendly city bid is hugely welcome.
“With the support or Rock City we will work with partners across all sectors to enhance the profile of skateboarding at a national and international level. We will also develop, among other things, a Code of Conduct that promotes Best Practice for those who take part.”
Although Hull already has more skate parks than any other city in the UK, further opportunities will be sought to expand and develop the skate park offer for new and existing facilities.
Rock City’s Mark English said: “We are very excited to be involved in this. It is a great opportunity for our city and for people who participate in the sport in the UK.”
