Save Our Skatepark: £15k appeal launched to survive coronavirus pandemic

A Skegness skateboarder is urging residents to support an appeal to help Xsite skatepark survive during the coronavirus crisis, after it was revealed the facility is on its 'last legs'.
Lucus Comfort at Xsite Skatepark in Skegness.Lucus Comfort at Xsite Skatepark in Skegness.
Lucus Comfort at Xsite Skatepark in Skegness.

Lucus Comfort, a local student, says the facility is an important venue, where young people can socialise and learn new skills.

He said: "I have been visiting the park for four years, I have made friends with people who go to the park and have learned a lot from them. It’s great for socialising.

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"If it closed I would feel as if the world had exploded. I wouldn’t be able to meet some friends from all over Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and it would mean I would have to travel three hours to the next skatepark in Corby."

Xsite Skatepark has launched an appeal to help it survive during the Coronavirus pandemic.Xsite Skatepark has launched an appeal to help it survive during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Xsite Skatepark has launched an appeal to help it survive during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The skatepark, which is run by the Lincolnshire Extreme Sports Association, is appealing for £15,000. It is a registered charity, and (at the time of writing) just over £1,000 of their goal had been raised.

Xsite skatepark was the first purpose-built indoor and outdoor skatepark in the UK. It opened in 2006 and was redesigned in 2013.

It was founded by local BMXers in 2000 after receiving funding from the Big Lottery and Sports England and now has thousands of users every year.

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In a post on Facebook, the skatepark said: "As a charity local to the Skegness area, we have done our very best to provide a service to the local community throughout our years, we are truly grateful for all the support we have received over this time. It saddens us deeply to see the current state of affairs, at a time when our community should be thriving, many business and organisations like ourselves are fighting tooth and nail to stay alive.’

Lucus says he would feel as is his 'world had exploded' if Xsite was forced to close.Lucus says he would feel as is his 'world had exploded' if Xsite was forced to close.
Lucus says he would feel as is his 'world had exploded' if Xsite was forced to close.

"Unfortunately, like many others, we at X-Site Skatepark are facing a very bleak situation.

"With no income and failing to secure any government funding, we find ourselves on our last legs.

"Everyone involved is doing their very best to try to keep us alive and we still hold great optimism.

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"We are now asking for support from anywhere it may be found, even the smallest donation will be gratefully received.

"We understand during this difficult time that the vast majority of people also find themselves in financial hardship, with employees working reduced hours, being furloughed and being made redundant. That is why we appreciate every single donation we receive, no matter how small."

Volunteer Trustee Ryan Hurt commented: "I have grown up with the facility and it would be a real shame if the local children did not have the same opportunity.

"The sense of community created within a skatepark is one of a kind.

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"It's a real mixing pot of people of all ages and walks of like."

To donate visit Help X-Site Skatepark survive Coronavirus Close on JustGiving.com, XSite has also stated that every donation of more than £10 will be entered into a giveaway for a year's worth of free entry.

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