Causeway Coast & Glens Council to devise Masterplan for urban sports at Portrush's Metropole
A masterplan for an outdoor urban sports and community facility at Portrush’s Metropole green is to be devised, Causeway Coast and Glens Council has announced.
Working in partnership with Causeway Association of Urban Sports (CAUS), the masterplan study will commence in August to understand the best approach to developing the Metropole Project.
In a statement, Council said: “The Metropole Project seeks to create a high-quality, inclusive and free to use outdoor urban sports and community facility that supports active lifestyle, enhances the public realm, strengthens community cohesion, improves youth recreation provision and reinforces Portrush’s role as a key tourism and recreation destination on the North Coast.
"The North Coast community has campaigned for the provision of a dedicated skatepark and urban sports facility for more than 30 years. Previous proposals have progressed to advanced stages but have not been delivered. This commission represents a renewed and deliverable approach by the Council and CAUS to establish an inclusive, sustainable and high-quality facility.
"The proposed development will be delivered through an integrated masterplan approach combining urban sports, landscape, play, recreation and community infrastructure into a cohesive public space.”
The principal elements of the masterplan will be: a purpose-designed plaza accommodating a range of wheeled urban sport and user abilities; a multi-sport pump track and off-road BMX facility; a flexible civic/community space and play provision.
Council and CAUS will be working with Betongpark over the coming months to consult with the public, stakeholders, local schools, community groups and local businesses to best understand user needs and preferences which will aid in the development of concept designs to maximise
the potential of the Metropole site.
Betongpark are recognised as one of Europe’s industry leaders in skatepark design and have engaged extensively with local communities on a range of projects to develop and construct urban sports facilities that integrate with wider social and recreational spaces and public realm.
A range of consultation exercises are planned over August and September, more information on this will be announced in the coming weeks. At the end of this work, proposals will be presented to Council and CAUS for further decision-making on how best to progress.