City skaters roll in to new park (From South Wales Argus)
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City skaters roll in to new park
4:00pm Monday 20th August 2012 in News
Ryan Whittington of Malpas shows off his moved at the new park
SKATERS in Newport have a new playground thanks to the opening of the city’s only indoor skate park.
Bikers, rollerbladers and scooter riders are being encouraged to put the new Fear and Rolling park on the Leeway Industrial Estate to the test following its opening three weeks ago.
The 10,000 sq ft facility has half pipes, ramps, jumps and stunt rails, and another section set to include a foam pit and jump box is under construction.
Owner Tom Bowman, who runs an online blading and boarding company of the same name, was inspired to open the skate park because he felt there was a lack of indoor space in the city after the loss of CJ’s Skate park in Herbert Road, which was destroyed in a fire in 2010.
The rollerblader who took up the hobby around 12 years ago says he has had positive feedback so far and hopes it will encourage others to take up the activity.
He said: "People are really enjoying it. I think it will compliment the one being built in Tredegar Park, people will think let’s go to Newport because they have two."
The skate park is open to all ages and Mr Bowman hopes to soon be able to offer lessons.
