The new Bridgwater Skatepark at Friarn Avenue in the Westover ward, was officially opened on Saturday 14th December 2013. The park was opened by skate park users, staff from the YMCA, Sedgemoor District Council Chairman, Councillor Peter Downing and Bridgwater Mayor, Councillor Dave Loveridge.

The skatepark includes ramps, a bowl, rails and even has a centrepiece carrying the names of the local young people who formed a user-group and invested a great deal of time and effort into the project. The opening finally saw, after a long campaign. the user-group and other young people enjoy the facilities for the first time.

The YMCA, and Sedgemoor, had always planned, after this more formal event, that in the early spring of this year, a skate-jam would be held. This will take place on Saturday 12th April between 12noon and 4:00pm and is being run by Crucial BMX. The event will be free and is open to all BMXer’s, Skaters and Scooter users to come along and join in- as well as spectators.

The land for the park was provided by Bridgwater YMCA and the £150,000 project was funded by a £20,000 contribution from Bridgwater Town Council and £130,000 from funds held by Sedgemoor District Council.  Westover ward Councillor Steve Austen and Brian Smedley were members of the steering group. Cllr Smedley explained “The bulk of the Sedgemoor money came from RLT sources, which is money contributed by Housing developers instead of providing green space and play amenities on their developments. This money was accumulated over the years and allocated to the wards of the town for play facilities. Knowing the key issue for the achievement of the skatepark was the lack of land and being aware that the YMCA was prepared to make the most important contribution in this respect, Westover members agreed to allocate the entire Ward RLT accumulation in order to finally achieve this site that some people were beginning to  think might never happen. “