We are on a mission to raise £750 for JunkYard C.I.C., a dedicated Community Interest Company that is working tirelessly to build a vibrant skatepark in Victoria Park, Llandudno Junction, Conwy, Wales.

This skatepark will not only provide a safe and exciting space for local youth to engage in physical activity but also foster a sense of community and belonging. It is essential that we advocate for such initiatives that promote health, creativity, and social interaction among our young people.

We invite you to join us in this inspiring journey. Your support can make a significant difference! By donating through JustGiving, you can contribute easily and securely. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they will never sell them or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, I will withdraw the funds directly. Together, we can create a lasting impact in our community and help bring this skatepark to life!

Our mission as a Community Interest Company is to establish a premier wheeled-sports facility that is accessible to all members of the community. We are dedicated to fostering mutual respect, environmental stewardship, and community pride, ensuring our facilities serve future generations.

The Victoria Skatepark Development by JuncYard C.I.C. seeks to create inclusive, user-friendly spaces where individuals of all ages and abilities can engage in wheel-sport activities, share experiences, and build connections. The design prioritises social interaction, skill development, and inclusivity, incorporating adaptive features so every participant feels valued and empowered.

JuncYard CIC will host a range of activities—including group clinics, competitions, jams, and collaborative projects—to strengthen bonds among diverse groups. By recognising and celebrating varied backgrounds and skill levels, the skatepark aims to enhance community cohesion, foster mutual respect, and provide opportunities for shared experiences, breaking down barriers across age and ability.

This venue will empower individuals from all walks of life by offering platforms for participation, collaboration, and leadership. Through inclusive programmes, workshops, and youth initiatives, we aim to amplify community voices and encourage a sense of ownership and pride. This approach supports the creation of resilient, vibrant communities where collective efforts produce safe, dynamic spaces tailored to residents’ needs and aspirations. A strong sense of belonging and connection will be cultivated within this inclusive environment.

The project is located at the former Skatepark in Victoria Park, Llandudno Junction, situated within the County Council Ward of Glyn y Marl and the Town Council Wards of Marl and Pensarn. It will serve the communities of Llandudno Junction, Deganwy, and Conwy. All three County Councillors have been consulted and support the initiative. Additionally, one County Councillor and two Conwy Town Councillors are part of the Victoria Skatepark Project Group; two also act as Directors of JuncYard CIC.

The objective is to transform the existing skatepark into the county’s first custom-built concrete wheel-sports venue, featuring an accessible bowl along with various obstacles and street elements. The park will welcome skateboarders, BMX riders, scooter users, Wheelchair Motocross (WCMX) athletes, inline skaters, roller skaters, and anyone interested in wheel-sports—locally, regionally, and nationally.

According to the “Guidance Interventions List for Wales” (13 April 2022, Section 1: Communities and Place), this project aligns with intervention W10 regarding funding for local sports facilities and events that bring people together.

Our vision is to create a fully inclusive wheel-sports park catering to both enthusiasts and beginners of all ages, abilities, and disabilities. The facility will host classes, demonstrations, jams, and competitions, supporting skill development in sports recognised by the International Olympic Committee and incorporated into the GCSE curriculum from September 2026. Designed for durability, it will provide vital leisure and fitness opportunities for the community, addressing a shortage of free outdoor recreational spaces in Llandudno Junction. The new facility will also improve the broader playground area, providing a clean, dynamic environment conducive to safe play and wheel-sports for young children.

Currently, the outdated skatepark, unused for 25 years, is considered unsafe by local wheel-sports enthusiasts. Consequently, many resort to unregulated DIY parks or travel outside the area. The new skatepark aims to provide a safe, contemporary facility, encouraging local use and reducing the need for alternative venues.

To ensure comprehensive community involvement, we conducted three well-attended public meetings and three engagement events at various venues. These were promoted through social media, local press, and bilingual leaflets distributed across Llandudno Junction and Deganwy. Online surveys and Q&A sessions with local youth service and Youth Shedz further informed the project. Ysgol Aberconwy secondary school has also endorsed the initiative.

Our social media presence has united like-minded individuals into a Community Group and Community Interest Company. Engagements with County Council Officers and local Councillors confirmed the necessity of replacing the skatepark. Community input was central in creating a wish list for the new facility, named "JuncYard," with many suggestions integrated into the final design.

Key features of the new design include social areas, covered sections, and seating to foster interaction in a secure setting, alongside adapted pathways for enhanced accessibility throughout the playground.

A professional Community Engagement and Feasibility Study conducted by Curve Studio Ltd provided robust evidence of community need, supported by extensive feedback and well-attended consultation events.

Ownership of the Skatepark remains with CCBC, while JuncYard C.I.C. initially serves as the fundraising body to enhance the facilities with minimal impact on taxpayers. The project is a partnership between JuncYard C.I.C. and potentially Curve Studio Ltd, with JuncYard C.I.C. responsible for the operation and maintenance upon completion.

Project leadership consists of three JuncYard C.I.C. Directors and a dedicated project group. Curve Studio Ltd is designated for construction which will be funded through grants. A draft 25-year lease has been prepared by the County Council. Playground enhancements are planned but will not be included in the lease, as most grant sources exclude works on council-owned land; alternative funding, such as S106, will be pursued.

Although project delivery experience is limited, guidance from Conwy County Borough Council officers and expertise from group members in the building industry complement our partnership with Curve Studio Ltd. The team has successfully managed £30,000 in initial funding, bringing the project to the pre-planning stage.

Rapid population growth and high deprivation levels in Glyn y Marl/Llandudno Junction underscore the need for accessible leisure services. According to the “Population Profile Research Bulletin Corporate Research and Information Unit, Issue 10 October 2021,” population estimates have risen rapidly, with current figures placing the area among the most populous in the county. Youth population percentages and persistent deprivation, particularly along Conway Road, highlight a pressing demand for improved community resources.

To provide some context, Glyn y Marl/Llandudno Junction has experienced rapid population growth in recent years, surging between the last two censuses and now estimated at 6,700, though some independent assessors suggest it could be closer to 10,000. Conwy County's population growth from 2010 to 2020 shows significant increases in Deganwy (+25.1%), Marl (+24.5%), and Pensarn (+14.3%), all ranking among the top four growing Town Council Wards in the county's electoral divisions. In Pensarn (Llandudno Junction East), 20.1% of the population is under sixteen, a figure higher than both the 2020 UK average and the Conwy County average of 16.0%.

Key amenities, including the library, youth club building, and NHS clinic have been lost. Leaving Conwy area West without a dedicated Community Health Centre, the only County area without such a facility. Free opportunities for youth remain limited, making the revitalisation of the skatepark essential for community wellbeing.

In conclusion, we are committed to providing unmotorised, inclusive wheeled-play opportunities for all. Our primary measurable objectives involve constructing the skatepark, managing and developing the venue, and responding to community preferences identified through multiple phases of engagement and feasibility analysis by Curve Studio Ltd. Post-construction, we will monitor outcomes using:

• Weekly, monthly, and yearly user counts

• Strategies to increase user participation

• Analysis of users across different wheel-sport disciplines

• Tracking popularity among various user groups

• Monitoring demographic diversity to assess and enhance community cohesion

This comprehensive approach ensures the project effectively meets the needs of the Glyn y Marl/Llandudno Junction community and surrounding areas.