Phuket expatriate Tim Campbell, together with his friend Ton and other skaters in Phuket, are joining forces to get fundraising underway for the project.
Speaking to The Phuket News today, Tim said the idea came from the young skaters in the community, who at the moment skate in the Cherng Talay Tesco-Lotus carpark after school and on the weekends.
With around 20 teenagers and young adults using the park regularly, plus a large number of skaters in other parts of the islands such as Kata and Phuket Town, a proposal had been made to build a community skate park about half a rai in size. All going to plan, it could be built next year.
“We’ve spoken to the OrBorTor and they love the idea,” Tim said.
“We hope that the OrBorTor will give us community land [to build on] because it will be a community skate park, which means it will be free entry.
“It will be the people’s park. The spot that would be ideal is in Surin, next to the King’s Monument. They [the local OrBorJor] are building a brand new football field across the road. On the other side of that is a grass area – that’s the spot that we put to the OrBorTor.
“Once we start bringing in some revenue then it will show the OrBorTor that we are serious.
“The whole idea is because we want to make it a community idea. A lot of the kids are already giving some of their pocket money towards it. We want the community to build it, and we are assisting Ton and the local boys who skate here in getting that community support and interest, and involvement.”
Tim said there were a lot of groups of young kids riding around on bikes, but once they reached the influential teenage years, there were many negative avenues on the island.
“Beach, surfing and skating culture all goes together – it is like a big family. The idea is to give them an environment they can hang out in that’s positive, healthy and giving them some direction in life – that mentorship from the older guys.”
Ma Ann, president of Cherngtalay OrBorTor, said he supported the skate park project.
“I have seen groups of skaters and BMX bike riders in the area, so it will be great for them to have a park. People can also enjoy the football field nearby and sit in the park,” he said.
Mr Ma Ann said the Cherngtalay OrBorTor would build the basic structure for the park, including the concrete base, and lights at the venue. The skaters were then required to fundraise the rest of the money.
Ton, 20, who skates regularly at Tesco-Lotus, thinks the skate park idea is a great idea.
“A lot of kids skate at night at Tesco, and sometimes it is a bit dangerous. This skate park will be good for the community because anyone will be able to use it, and it will bring everyone together.”
Tim is a keen surfer and co-owner of Skyla’s Beach House in Kamala, and also co-owner of Stand Up Projects, an adventure company which supports various charity projects.
Last year he helped organise a four-day circumnavigation of Phuket on stand up paddle boards with six of his friends, including Quintin Clover, who is also the co-owner of Stand Up Projects (SUP).
Together the team raised around B1.8 million to build a school for the Good Shepherd in Phuket Town.
On March 31, Quintin and Tim will host the Phuket Paddle Festival family event on Bang Tao Beach,which will be the first official fundraiser for the skate park.
The idea for the skate park is not a new one. In August 2011, Sharon and Mark Biddell from the Phuket Self Help and Empowerment charity (SHE) came up with the idea – see our story here – and agreed to manage and run the park – provided a sponsor could be found.
Unfortunately there was little support.
But this time Tim is confident the skate park will go ahead, and he and the SUP team have already proved they are capable of raising large funds.
With regard to security at the park, Tim didn’t think it would be a problem.
“There will be a culture of teaching, mentoring and community spirit at the park.
“Obviously you can’t stop the negative side coming in, whether that’s gangs and so on, but that’s part and parcel of having a community area.
“I’d like to think that with these local boys and the great spirit they have, that would be enough. If someone comes in and is playing up, then the rest of the community is going to help out.”