New BMX and skatepark designs revealed for Gowerton and Ynystawe

New designs have been released for two upcoming sports facilities in Swansea — a BMX-focused site at the Elba sports complex in Gowerton and an upgraded skatepark in Ynystawe.

The plans were shared by Swansea Council at a recent update meeting with residents and wheeled sports users. The designs were developed by specialist firm Curve Studio, following what the council described as “extensive consultation.”

Planning and procurement are expected to begin in early 2026, with construction anticipated to start next summer.

The council says the wider programme aims to ensure that most Swansea residents live within two miles of a new or upgraded wheeled sports site.

“Safe, inspiring places” for young people

In a statement, Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

“Skateboarding, BMXing and other wheeled sports are incredibly popular in Swansea, and these new designs for Gowerton and Ynystawe show the continued progress we’re making across the city.”

“Our £3m investment is delivering high-quality facilities shaped by local consultation, ensuring they reflect what users themselves have told us they want from modern wheeled sports spaces.”

“This is about more than new ramps or refurbished surfaces — it’s about creating safe, inspiring places that help young people stay active, build confidence and connect with their communities.”

“With Curve Studio’s expertise and the enthusiasm we’ve seen from local residents, these projects will make a real difference.”

More sites in the pipeline

According to Swansea Council, work is also due to begin shortly on a street-plaza style facility at Victoria Park, with further contracts expected for upgrades at Mynydd Newydd in Penlan and the Phoenix Centre in Townhill.

The council says improvements have already been completed at Coed Bach in Pontarddulais and Melin Mynach in Gorseinon, with additional developments planned for Blaenymaes, Bishopston, Clyne Valley, and a new junior pump track in Gorseinon.

Funding for the programme comes from a mix of ward member contributions, the community investment fund, community and town councils, and Welsh Government Active Travel funding.

#bmx #cllrAndrewStevens #curveStudio #elbaSportsCentre #gowerton #pumpTrack #skatePark #skatepark #sportsFacilities #swanseaCouncil #wheeledSports #ynystawe

Swansea skateboarders back £2.8m investment in wheel sports facilities

Three members of Swansea’s skateboarding community have welcomed the city’s growing investment in wheel sports, saying it will help meet demand, encourage new riders, and raise Swansea’s profile as a destination for skateboarding and BMX.

Kate Leonard, co-founder of Exist Skatepark, coach Jon Lawton, and Bishopston-based skateboarder Will Muxworthy say the improvements—led by Swansea Council in partnership with design specialists Curve Studio—are long overdue and will help level the playing field with other parts of the UK.

The council is investing £2.8 million in a network of upgraded and new facilities across the city, with the aim of ensuring that no resident is more than two miles from a high-quality skate or BMX site. Work is already complete at Coed Bach in Pontarddulais and Melin Mynach in Gorseinon, with a street plaza-style facility at Victoria Park due to begin construction in August.

“We’re really excited about the council investment,” said Kate Leonard. “It will grow Swansea’s skateboarding community and give fans of wheel sports more outlets to burn off energy. Exist will complement the neighbourhood improvements—we don’t see it as competition.”

Designed by skateboarders, for skateboarders

The council has commissioned Curve Studio to lead design and consultation, with input from local riders shaping the character of each site. Improvements are also planned for Mynydd Newydd in Penlan, the Phoenix Centre in Townhill, and future sites in Ynystawe, Gowerton, Bishopston, and Blaenymaes.

“Curve Studio know their stuff,” said Jon Lawton, 20. “These facilities have been designed by skateboarders and influenced by skateboarders. The variety across sites will give people a reason to visit all of them.”

Lawton, who has been skating for eight years, said the investment will help the sport grow and attract visitors from outside the city. He praised the council for listening to feedback and acting on community input.

“When I was younger, I spent two entire summers at Victoria Park. It’s great to see the amazing plans for that location now.”

A long-awaited revival

For Will Muxworthy, 25, the investment marks a turning point after decades of underinvestment.

“There’s been a strong surf and skateboarding scene in Swansea for years, but the facilities haven’t matched that energy since the late 1980s,” he said. “In the past, we had to travel to Bristol or further afield. That’s about to change.”

Muxworthy said the new facilities at Coed Bach and Melin Mynach are already making a difference, and the plans for Victoria Park are especially meaningful to local riders.

“There’s so much potential here. This investment gives Swansea the chance to be at the forefront of skateboarding and other wheel sports.”

More than just skateboarding

The wider wheel sports masterplan includes a new pump track for junior BMXers at Melin Mynach, a refurbishment of the existing track at Clyne Valley, and consultation on cycling and BMX facilities in Blaenymaes and Gowerton. Workshops have already taken place in Ynystawe and Gowerton, with more planned as the programme expands.

Council leader Rob Stewart recently confirmed that the skate park programme will be boosted to £2.9 million by 2027, as part of a wider £10 million investment in outdoor community facilities across Swansea.

“Residents told us they wanted to never be far from good quality skate parks,” said Stewart. “So we are delivering a multi-layered network of facilities that create a stage for inspirational riding and make it easy for anyone to take up wheeled sports in their community.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

New image reveals street plaza skateboard park plans for Swansea’s Victoria Park
Published June 2024: Swansea Council unveils design for new skate plaza, shaped by community feedback and led by Curve Studio.

World-first skateboard aid helps 12-year-old Ollie who was desperate to skate
Published May 2024: Swansea-based innovation helps young skater with mobility challenges get back on his board.

Upgraded neighbourhood skate park reopens in Gorseinon
Published April 2024: New ramps and layout welcomed by local riders as part of Swansea’s £2.8m wheel sports investment.

Plans to be revealed for Gowerton BMX track and improved Ynystawe skatepark
Published July 2024: Council invites feedback on new BMX and skate facilities designed to support junior riders and community use.

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Plans to be revealed for Gowerton BMX track and improved Ynystawe skatepark

Organised by Swansea Council, workshops have been arranged for Tuesday May 6 when experts from Curve Studio will be on hand to unveil their ideas and listen to feedback.

The plans are part of a £2.8m council investment in wheel sports facilities throughout the city.

A BMX-focused facility is proposed for the Elba sports complex in Gowerton, with the skatepark in Ynystawe Park set for major improvements.

The Gowerton workshop will last from 4.30pm to 6pm at Gowerton Comprehensive School on Cecil Road.

Ynystawe’s workshop will take place from 7pm to 8.30pm at Ynystawe Cricket and Football Club on Park Road.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The proposals for the Elba and Ynystawe Park are part of a major investment across Swansea which means most people won’t have to travel more than two miles to reach a high-quality facility for skateboarding, BMXing and other wheel sports.

“Feedback from wheel sports enthusiasts and local communities is crucial to our plans though because we want to develop facilities that meet people’s needs and aspirations.

“The workshops for the Elba and Ynystawe Park proposals are a great opportunity to help influence the size, design and character of these sites.”

The council says an upgraded neighbourhood skate park is now available for use at Coed Bach Park in Pontarddulais and work is ongoing to make improvements to the existing skate park at Parc Melin Mynach in Gorseinon.

Other sites already announced for neighbourhood skate park improvements include a skate plaza at Victoria Park and neighbourhood skate parks at both Mynydd Newydd in Penlan and the Phoenix Centre in Townhill. There are also plans for a new pump track for novice and junior BMXers at Melin Mynach and the existing pump track at Clyne Valley will be undergoing a refurbishment.

#BMX #ElbaSportsCentre #Gowerton #SkatePark #Skateboarding #SwanseaCouncil #Ynystawe #YnystawePark

Gowerton sports complex pitch makeover complete

The extensive refurbishment was made possible thanks to a £230,000 grant received from Sport Wales and Freedom Leisure, as a result, the pitch at Elba has been accredited by the International Hockey Federation and will continue to be the proud home of Gowerton Hockey Club. 

Yasmin Marshall from Gowerton Hockey Club said:

“We are so proud of our home pitch now as this new surface was much needed – each winter we would have to postpone games due to flooding or a frozen pitch.

“Hockey at Gowerton can now be played at a higher standard, just from the new pitch – this being vital with our first team playing Prem 2 and our squad housing international players.

“The new pitch has secured the future of hockey at Gowerton and we’re hopeful it will encourage more individuals to get involved with the club – this which we’re already starting to see as the season progresses.”

The pitch is also suitable for football and a wide variety of outdoor sports for local schools, sporting groups and communities in and around the Gowerton Area to use and is the ideal surface during the winter months when grass fields and pitches become muddy and unusable. Bookings are now being taken for sport groups to use the refurbished pitch at the Elba, operated by Freedom Leisure.

Gwyn Owen, Freedom Leisure Area Manager in Swansea commented:

“The refurbished pitch at the Elba offers year-round access for local residents and clubs alike.

“Indeed, it is a fantastic outdoor pitch for the whole community across Swansea and we’d encourage as many people to come and see for themselves the new look pitch and all the other amazing facilities at Elba Sports Complex.”

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said:

“Swansea has a long tradition of producing hockey players that go on to compete at a high level. We also have a strong pathway of introducing new players to the game through the work of clubs like Gowerton who provide skills sessions for all abilities.

“It’s great that this effort can be supported by the introduction of modern facilities such as the new surface at the Elba and Swansea Council is grateful to Sport Wales, Hoci Cymru and our partners at Freedom Leisure for making this happen.”

For clubs and organisations wishing to enquire further about the pitch or make a booking please contact [email protected] or call the Elba Sports Complex on 01792 874424.

[Lead image: Freedom Leisure]

#ElbaSportsCentre #featured #FreedomLeisure #Gowerton #Hockey #SportWales