Dean Backos of 011Skatepark is excited about what the year will bring.
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“Since my brother Mathew and I started leasing the park last year there has been about a 15% increase in the number of people attending the park,” said Dean
“The weekends are extremely busy, there are easily over 100 people who come to the park.”
Dean said their goal this year is to create a centrepiece for the park in addition to getting its coffee shop up and running as soon as possible.
“The coffee shop is a priority because it will generate additional income, which will go towards improving the park,” said Dean.
This means that at some stage no food or beverages will be allowed to be brought nto the park.
Dean explained that the location of the skate shop and the kitchen were swapped so that the kitchen could accommodate the number of orders.
011Skatepark will be one of the few facilities in Ekurhuleni with its own shop.
“Me and my brother’s goal, right from the start, was to create a space where community members could express themselves and feel safe,” said Dean
“We want to include as many people from the community as possible.”
Dean said there are skateboarding lessons offered by two members of the community at the skatepark.
“The skating lessons were already happening before we started leasing the property and when we took over the guys doing it spoke to us and we had no problem with them continuing it,” explained Dean.
Dean said since the introduction of improved safety at the skatepark more female skaters and families visit the park.
“I think we are definitely on the right track; we have stuck to our goals and are utilising the space as best as we can.”
Earlier this year the skatepark hosted a competition on January 1 in partnership with Redbull.
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“Overall, the competition went well and the marketing director of Redbull said skatepark was looking great.”
On February 5 a BMX and scooter competition will be hosted at the Skatepark by the TMF crew in partnership with Monster Energy, Sketchy BMX, SKABANGA and BMX Direct.
Dean said the competition which will offer prizes and an admission fee will be charged. He highlighted that all proceeds from the competition will go to improving the park.
On February 19 a skater only competition tournament will be held.
“Sometime during the middle of the year, we would like to host the main tournament for the park in partnership with Mamba Security,” said Dean.
“It will also offer the community an opportunity to learn more about the sport.”
Dean said during the year a turnstile will be introduced so that management can regulate attendance.
“For now, an admission fee will not be introduced. As we want the skatepark to be family-friendly, no alcohol is allowed at the facility,” said Dean.
He explained that the skatepark is a municipal facility and, therefore, certain rules have to be obeyed.
He said later in the year management of the park plans on creating a demarcated area for smokers too.
Dean thanked community members for all of their assistance and donations to get the park where it is today.
He specifically thanked Gary de Lacy for his donation towards the park’s development.
“For now, we are going to keep doing what we have done, keep the community involved and catering for the greater community,” said Dean.
For more information about the skatepark follow them on Instagram @011_Skatepark.
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