A new state-of-the-art skatepark in Port Dundas, North Glasgow, celebrated its recent launch with a day of free activities, music and performance today.
The Loading Bay, Glasgow’s newest indoor skatepark, covers 30,000 square feet and brings cutting-edge sports facilities to locals, enthusiasts and national elite athletes. As a non-profit organisation, The Loading Bay aims to increase participation in action sports by offering a free-entry program to economically disadvantaged local young people.
The launch of the park forms part of wider efforts to establish North Glasgow an emerging destination for culture, urban sports, tourism and community development. The canal-side area has been the focus of much innovative regeneration work including the Dundashill housing project, the Claypits nature reserve, investment in an integrated water management system and the refurbishment of Old Basin House.
We recognise the unique opportunity that investment in our canal-based estates brings to the urban playground of Port Dundas. We’re confident that the launch of this amazing skatepark will establish an active community of skaters and riders in this emerging destination, which is already home to many grass-roots and national cultural organisations. The space itself has so much potential and the atmosphere at the event today is electric’.
‘We hope that today marks the beginning of a new hobby for the young people attending taster sessions, offering fun and friendship as well as a host of health and wellbeing benefits. For Scottish Canals the park forms part of the ongoing evolution of North Glasgow, and it’s great to see such a buzz about the area. We hope that by bringing a new audience to the park today, we’ve opened a whole host of people’s eyes to the opportunities, fun and sport that is available at Port Dundas’.
Kicking off the event, The Loading Bay team held a series of free demo sessions and challenged local riders to a range of stunt-based competitions.
This event is an amazing opportunity to showcase action sports to a new audience. At the Loading Bay we want skateboarding, BMX and all other action sports disciplines to be accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. We are fortunate to be part of a scene that welcomes new people and nurtures progression at any level, the main goal being to have fun! The free taster sessions serve to showcase our amazing facilities and services which include our healthy-eating cafe and lessons’.
Later in the day, culture magazine The Skinny took the reins, getting the party started with live performances from Nightwave, VAJ.Power, AISHA and Bessa, and bringing over 400 party-goers to the space for Innis & Gunn and Glasgow Distillery supplied drinks and dancing.
Tom McCarthy at The Skinny said: ‘We were really excited by the proposition of working with The Loading Bay to host this event. The park is such a unique space, from the cavernous space of the skate bowl to the more intimate cafe it is a flexible space that is brimming with potential. Our readers are passionate about cultural discovery and the fantastic performers that have assembled for tonight speak to the park’s potential as a thriving cultural hub, only 10 minutes from the city centre.’
Supported by Scottish Canals and Glasgow City Council, the park will not only act as a launch pad for local talent and increased engagement in sport, but will support investment in the canal-based area through events and cultural exchange opportunities.
Works on the £750,000 project comprised the installation of a new roof, builders work, mechanical and electrical services to prepare for the amazing skate bowl, foam pits, street plaza and café facilities constructed by Vision Ramps.
More information can be found at theloadingbayglasgow.com