Indoor Skate Park Provides Safe Friendly Atmosphere for Young People

A new indoor skate park in Beverley is giving young people in the town a safe place to go and express themselves.

TASR on Tonkenspire Business Park is the dream of man called Tony Thurston, who sold his house and moved into rented accommodation, so he could fund his dream, of giving kids in the area something to do.

Speaking to HU17.net Mr. Thurston said;

“Two years ago, I had this mad dream. Having lived in Beverley for 15 years I started to see there was just nothing for young people to do.”

“When I grew up, I remember going to the youth club and going to things like Scouts. These days these things seem to have just away.”

“There is a real trend among young people just sitting on their phones, playing games or spending hours and hours on Facebook, and I feel there must be more for them to do.”

“The council has closed the youth club. It is like they are just not interested in young people anymore, so I wanted to do something about that.”

Mr. Thurston had to raise money to make his dream a reality. With no financial help from the local authority or any money from the ‘public purse’ he sold his home and with his two sons, Alex and Jack, moved into a rented house.

Mr. Thurston said;

“So far I have invested £60,000 of my own money into the project. With the help of some good friends and my family, we have worked hard to build an indoor skate park based on what the kids told us they wanted.”

“Paul Kerman, Mike Jamerson and Ronnie Smith have been amazing. They took leave from work to help me get this place built so we could open the doors.”

However, TASR is more than just a skate park. The main area resembles a youth club with soft seating, pool tables and video games. They have a fully functional kitchen where they serve a selection of hot snacks and drinks.

Employing 11 staff that are all CBS Checked, first aid trained and hold the required food certificates Mr. Thurston has built a truly amazing facility.

Since opening he has already faced some tough challenges. A sign on the road telling people where he was has been removed yet Mr. Thurston remains undeterred as he tries to tell as many local people as possible about his park.

He said;

“Everything I have has gone into building the ramps and getting the place open. Now I need to tell people about it, so they know it’s here. I am hoping to go into schools and speak to other local organisations about what we have to try to spread the word.”

“I know TASR needs to pay for its self, but I never got into this to make money. For me, it is important young people in Beverley, and neighbouring villages have been somewhere safe they can go and express themselves.”

“Councillors have since approached me and offered to help me get grants, but I do not want that type of outside influence. I want to be able to run this place my way and do what is right by the kids.”

Mr. Thurston is already reaching out to neighbouring areas. He is in talks to allow residents in Woodmansey to have access to the facility free of charge one day a week and use TASR as a youth club.

A big man with a kind heart, Mr. Thurston aims to create a scheme to ensure those young people who may not be able to afford to come can still enjoy his facility, he said;

“I was born in Orchard Park, I do not need to tell you the challenges I faced. I want every single child who comes through my doors to be able to enjoy everything, so we are seeing how we can put a token system in place, and I will also give them free membership.”

For parents, TASR should be a dream come true too. Children who are over 10 years old can be dropped and left there to have fun while they go and do something else. Mr. Thurston has put in a range of messures to ensure all the young people who use his facility are well looked after.

Anyone using the park needs to wear a helmet but these are provided on site for very small rental fee, and if they want further padding and safetywear items can be hired.

TASR is something people living in the Town should be proud of, it is already attracting skaters in from as far away as Bridlington.

Mr. Thurston added;

“I feel very privileged to have achieved my dream, now all I have to do is shout about so people know I am here.”

TASR is open 3.30pm till 8pm on school days and from 10am to 8pm at weekends. For more information about the TASR please call 01482 770629.

TASR Indoor Skate Park
Tokenspire Business Park
Woodmansey
HU17 0TB

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