PLANS to revamp one of Scotland’s most “legendary” skateparks, which has been registered as an area of regional importance, have been submitted to council planners.
Livingston Skatepark has been a popular spot for the skating and biking community in West Lothian for more than 40 years and was once visited by the famous skateboarder Tony Hawk in the early 1990s.
The proposal for the revamp includes re-pouring small sections of the park with new concrete, polishing the surface, and repairing patches.
A council spokesperson said the application is part of a wider programme for skateparks across West Lothian.
Designed by architect Iain Urquhart, it was opened in 1981 and is the earliest surviving purpose-built skatepark in Scotland.
Last year, the site received a category B listing from Historic Environment Scotland (HES), where Dara Parsons, head of designations at HES, said the skatepark was world-renowned for its pioneering design
He said: “Iain Urquhart’s original design is grounded in early skate culture, and the park is known around the world for its pioneering design, the quality of the skating experience, and as a prototype for later concrete skateparks.”
The park was built due to the rising popularity of skateboarding during the 1970s and after a local skater, Kenny Omond, approached the council with the idea.
Since then, Livingston Skatepark would go on to gain the international attention of the skate scene due to its scale and quality, attracting some of the best skateboarders from around the world.
Rick Curran, secretary at Skateboard Scotland, said: “Livi is a beloved, world-renowned skatepark recognised by many for its ground-breaking design, but at 43-years-old it is showing considerable signs of age, so we are extremely keen to see the necessary steps taken to ensure this essence is protected for future generations through sympathetic, considered stabilisation and restoration.”
