17/06/2024 - Work to start on state-of-the-art skate and play facilities in Luton

The start of construction this summer has been confirmed by Luton Rising, the Luton Council company which owns London Luton Airport and other assets for community benefit.

The programme of works will see the new skate park facility built first, while the existing one remains open, and it is hoped will be ready for opening by February half-term 2025. Work will start on the new play areas at the end of this summer, ensuring no loss of facilities during the school break, and these are planned to be completed by Easter 2025.

The facilities represent an investment of around £2m.

Mark Turner, Luton Rising Service Director, said: “We’re delighted to be able to get started now on this exciting scheme for the young people of Luton.

“Work on these fabulous new facilities marks the first step in honouring the promise we made to people living nearby to ensure that improvements to Wigmore Park are brought forward ahead of our proposed future developments in and around the airport.”

Designs for the new facilities were consulted on in 2018 and welcomed by residents and the local skate community.

The new skate park is going to be one of the largest concrete multi-discipline venues in the UK, and likely to serve as a training ground for future Olympians.

A significant upgrade on the existing metal-ramp facility, it has been designed for both skateboarders and BMX riders and will include technical features suitable for a range of ages and abilities.

The play areas will be themed around flying and holidays, featuring junior and toddler activity zones, a play aeroplane and control tower, swings, slides and rides, cableways and climbing frames.

Both will be located near the main entrance to the park off Eaton Green Road. Residents will shortly notice the arrival of a temporary site office, fencing and building equipment.

Mr Turner said: “We are making good progress on our vision for Green Horizons Park, which has the potential to attract significant investment in our town and many thousands of new jobs across the aviation, aerospace, vehicle manufacturing and advanced engineering sectors.

“We are building the new recreational facilities now so that everyone can start to benefit from them as soon as possible.”

Luton Rising works to maximise the social and economic benefits associated with ownership of the airport and other assets. Over the last two decades it has invested more than £500m in frontline services and the vital voluntary, community and charitable organisations that support people most in need.

Additional recent improvements in the Wigmore area supported by the company have included funding for the planting of around 200 trees in the Luton Faiths Peace Garden, and £35,000 for improved play facilities at Raynham Way. In the medium term, a community cafe will also be provided, and Luton Rising is continuing to consider how and when this facility can be brought forward.