S/Oct 2024 . £8 www.paf-media.co.uk Wheels in motion The evolution of UK’s skateparks Also in this issue: Interview with Baz Moffat and Steven Dick The Well HQ and The Fitness Group partner up Stade Hassan II stadium in Casablanca Plans for the largest football venue in the world revealed
paf-media.co.uk 3 leader Wheels in motion: the evolution of UK skateparks (p 15-18) Cover image: Lilly Strachan, National Championship winner 2023 ©Skateboard GB/garryjonesphotography Editor Helen Adkins Sales director Julian Walter Production Nicola Cann Design Sandra Cid Managing director Toby Filby Publishers Stable Publishing Limited SBC House, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH, England. t. 020 8288 1080 f. 020 8288 1099 e. info@stable-media.co.uk www.paf-media.co.uk The publishers do not necessarily agree with views expressed by contributors and cannot accept responsibility for claims made by manufacturers and authors, nor do they accept any responsibility for any errors in the subject matter of this publication. Skateboarding in the UK: A new era of growth and recognition SKATEBOARDING, once a fringe activity, is surging in popularity across the UK, reflecting a broader global trend. The sport's transformation from its counterculture origins to mainstream acceptance has been accelerated by its inclusion in the Olympics. This growing recognition is not just a victory for the sport but a testament to its evolving role in modern urban culture. The UK has witnessed a significant increase in skateboarding’s visibility, fuelled by the success of British skateboarders on the international stage and the sport's elevated status in global events. Yet, despite this rise, the UK has faced multiple challenges in meeting the demand for high-quality skateboarding facilities. The absence of an Olympic-standard park has been a notable drawback, although a recent proposal to build the world’s first permanent Olympic-level skatepark, in Bradford, could mark a pivotal step forward. This new facility, supported by prominent skateboarders including Andy McDonald, represents more than just a physical space—it symbolises a commitment to nurturing the sport's growth and accessibility. With both indoor and outdoor components, the park would serve as a hub for skaters of all levels, enhancing training opportunities and community engagement. On page 15, we explore the burgeoning skateboarding industry, highlighting the development of innovative, unique and more expansive skateparks. This includes a mix of newly constructed facilities and refurbishments of existing sites, showcasing the evolution of skateboarding infrastructure. We also examine various funding models that are crucial in advancing the sector, revealing how these financial strategies can support the growth and modernisation of skateboarding spaces. As skateboarding continues to shape urban landscapes and inspire a new generation, the UK is embracing the sport’s potential. Investing in dedicated skateparks and infrastructure will be crucial in sustaining this momentum, ensuring that skateboarding thrives as a vibrant and inclusive element of our urban culture, as well as helping the Olympic aspirations of many. Helen Adkins Editor helen.adkins@stable-media.co.uk SUPPORTED BY
Partners & Supporters Stable events organise sector specific market leading business meetings and networking forums across the built environment. For more information on our events visit: stable-events.co.uk or email: info@stable-events.co.uk Attend as a complimentary buyer - secure your space: georgie.smith@stable-events.co.uk Attend as a supplier - book your place: julian@stable-events.co.uk +44 20 8288 1080 www.paf-europe.com An immersive business experience paf Europe, held across three days, will bring together top buyers and suppliers from across the European physical activity facility sector. We value both work and play and have designed an agenda to take your newfound partnerships from the meeting room to the mountains, where you can expand your network Après Ski style. 25th - 27th February 2025 Radisson Blu Hotel Andermatt, Switzerland meetings to mountains
paf-media.co.uk 5 contents paf-media.co.uk 07 News The Association of Play Industries urges the Government to invest in public playgrounds in their first Budget on 30 October. The Padel Club has become the first Cheshire-based business to secure investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. 11 LeisureDB Swimming report The State of the UK Swimming Report 2024 from LeisureDB stresses the need to reframe swimming pools as valuable assets rather than financial liabilities. 15 Wheels in motion: A look at the UK’s skateboarding sector We look at how the inclusion of skateboarding in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has underscored its growing importance as a global sport and reshaped public perceptions. 20 Project: Casablanca football stadium As a potential venue for the FIFA World Cup in 2030, The Stade Hassan II in Casablanca is set to become the largest football venue in the world. 22 Q&A with Baz Moffatt and Steven Dick We meet Baz Moffatt, founder of The Well HQ, and Steven Dick, co-founder and director of The Fitness Group, to talk about their recent partnership. 25 Bristan taps in Birmingham Two sports facilities in Edgbaston improve customer experience and reduce water usage. 28 The Third Space – Clapham London’s high-end fitness and health club continues its 2024 expansion with the opening of its 12th club in Clapham Junction. 31 Cistermiser – effective water management Richard Braid, managing director at Cistermiser and Keraflo, talks about effective water management for physical activity facilities. 34 Comment Chris Coleman, director of operations at the charity Your Trust, explains how the continuous improvement scheme from Quest is so important. inside this issue
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THE Padel Club has become the first Cheshire-based business to secure investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), following the launch of the £660m fund in March this year. Founded in 2020, Kris Ball launched The Padel Club after recognising its rising popularity while working abroad. With no courts available in his local area of Wilmslow, Kris decided to start the business in the anticipation that demand for the sport would take off. In total, The Padel Club has now raised £3.8m in its latest funding round, with £1.5m from NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance, which is managed by Praetura as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. Existing investor, Endeavour Ventures, has provided additional EIS investment as part of the latest funding round. The deal also marks both the first equity deal in the North West and Praetura’s first deal completed through the Fund. The funding will enable The Padel Club to supercharge its growth plans by capitalising on the strong pipeline of sites it has built and plans to open. The club currently operates four courts and recently announced plans to open a new site in TraffordCity, which will host 11 high specification courts, alongside a clubhouse for players to relax and socialise. The investment from NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance will help facilitate its latest site expansions, with the finance provided being used to build 42 new courts by 2025. The club has also won Leading Newcomer Award Winner at the This Is Manchester Awards 2023. Charlotte Kopciowski, head of finance at The Padel Club, said: ‘We are a North Westbased start-up which has developed a real community at our club in Wilmslow. NPIF II is designed to increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance, and we feel that we fit very well into this as an ambitious young company looking to grow and bring Padel to more communities. We are very excited to be partnering with Praetura and the expertise that they can add to our already strong board and management team. Louise Chapman, fund principal at Praetura, said: ‘We’re delighted to be involved in The Padel Club’s ongoing growth story, with the business now in the perfect position to capitalise on a wealth of new interest in this hugely popular sport. This is one of the largest external fundraises by a padel operator in the UK to date, which reflects the strength of the team and the premium offering they’ve brought to the sector.’ The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIFII) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m, and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead. www.thepadelclub.co.uk www.npif.co.uk www.praetura.co.uk NPIF II serves up first deal in Cheshire with The Padel Club paf-media.co.uk 7 news Left to right: Klarissa Nura (investment associate, Praetura Ventures), Charlotte Kopciowski (head of finance, The Padel Club), Camilla Greenwood (investment director, Praetura Ventures), Kris Ball (founder & CEO, The Padel Club), Sue Barnard (investment manager, British Business Bank), Louise Chapman (NPIF Fund Lead, Praetura Ventures)
Call for playground investment THE Association of Play Industries (API) is calling on the public to support its Pathway to Play campaign by writing to their local MPs, urging the government to invest in public playgrounds in their first Budget on 30 October. The campaign seeks to address the growing crisis of childhood obesity and mental health issues by ensuring that every child has access to safe, high-quality outdoor play spaces. Sir Keir Starmer and key government ministers have already been approached by API Chair Dr Amanda Gummer, who is advocating for policy changes that will make outdoor play a central aspect of childhood. Dr Gummer says: ‘Investing in playgrounds is crucial for reversing the alarming trends in childhood health. Outdoor play is an essential aspect of childhood and public playgrounds are the number one location for children’s outdoor play. ‘Policy oversight has led to inadequate provision of dedicated play spaces, resulting in children spending more time indoors, alone and inactive. The new Chancellor will be announcing the first Labour Government Budget on 30 October and it’s imperative that they find room in the budget to protect our children’s right to play in their communities. Urgent change is needed to reverse rising childhood obesity and mental health problems.’ The API has created a template letter for members and supporters to send to their local MPs. The letter highlights the importance of conducting a national audit of playgrounds, securing long-term funding for community play spaces and integrating outdoor learning into schools. The API urges everyone who cares about children’s wellbeing to download the template letter from the API website, personalise it and send it to their MP before the budget on 30 October. ‘The aim from API is to ensure that together, we can ensure that the government recognises the vital role of public playgrounds in building healthier communities.’ www.api-play.org/news events/pathwaytoplay-campaign/ 8 paf-media.co.uk news SPORTS and entertainment group R3 Sport has appointed Sam Kemp as managing director of Operations, Tournaments and Events to help drive the business, with a particular focus on its tournaments, including launching a Padel Super League and supporting the continued success of charity event PadelAid. Kemp joins R3 Sport from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), where he spent over six years managing recreational tennis competitions and leading the development of all LTA Padel competitions. At R3 Sport, which launched in February this year to invest in the sports and entertainment sectors with a particular focus on padel tennis, Kemp will lead all aspects of operations, tournaments and events strategy. One of the main focus points will be on R3 Sport’s plans to build a Padel Super League and he will also oversee the strategic development of a portfolio of events and exhibitions as the company continues to grow. R3 Sport plans to start building two padel tennis venues in the UK that will have between 16 and 20 courts, and is developing a series of major events while scouting elite padel tennis players in the UK and abroad, who it will manage. R3 Sport is also the exclusive distributor of Bullpadel Rackets and Equipment in the UK and Ireland. There are currently over 90,000 people in the UK who play padel, and R3 Sport says this number has increased by around 1,380% since 2020. The number of players in the country is predicted to reach 600,000 by the end of 2026. www.r3-sport.com R3 Sport recruits Sam Kemp from The Lawn Tennis Association
paf-media.co.uk 9 news Veolia recycles Wembley’s digital scoreboard VEOLIA has teamed up with Wembley Stadium to sustainably recycle their old digital scoreboard. As the stadium’s recycling and waste management partner since 2007, the firm managed 82 tonnes of recycling, with 94% of the materials being returned to industry for use in new products. Glass and metals have been recovered from the lighting inside the boards, separating this from the mercury and other hazardous materials. The video panels have been disassembled to recover metals and plastic which will be graded, processed and repurposed. Around 94% of the scoreboards’ electronic boards and accessories have been recycled, saving 60-70% of the carbon emissions associated with virgin material extraction and processing. Veolia’s GreenUp strategy for 2024 focuses on finding ecological and sustainable solutions to recycling hard-to-recycle waste streams such as hazardous waste. The Wembley scoreboard presented a number of challenges to Veolia in terms of transporting LED tiles safely in line with storage and regulatory requirements, separating heavy silicone for recycling and steel segregation to ensure high grade aluminium is recovered for recycling. This project saw Veolia work closely in partnership with Daktronics, the global leading scoreboard manufacturer and EDS (Electronic Digital Services). Veolia, in line with Wembley stadium’s ‘zero waste to landfill’ policy, has supported the successful decommissioning and disposal of the old digital scoreboard which helps advance the sustainability of the Wembley event experience. www.veolia.co.uk WILLMOTT Dixon has been appointed by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to build a £15m swimming pool complex in Eston. Procured via Procurement Hub’s Major Projects Framework, the project received funding from the Government, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, and the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority. This project, to be completed in early 2026 and operated by Everyone Active, will see a 25-metre, six-lane pool built with changing areas and a 150-seat spectator gallery. It will also include a separate learner pool. Cllr Ursula Earl, Cabinet Member for Health and Welfare at the Council, said: ‘This new pool will not only benefit local residents, but it also brings the opportunity to increase swimming provision across the borough. We are particularly proud of the efforts to make the learner pool an inclusive space so sensory swim sessions can be held to allow neurodivergent children and adults the opportunity to enjoy swimming.’ Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: ‘This new facility is something that people in Eston have long been waiting for, and it’s fantastic to see work’s kicking off to give the area the pool complex it deserves. We’re continuing to drive forward the transformative, large-scale projects of the future for the good of jobs and the economy. But this shows how our funding is helping communities big and small, the length and breadth of the region, bring their vital projects to fruition and improve everyone’s day-to-day lives.’ www.willmottdixon.co.uk Willmott Dixon secures Eston Pool
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paf-media.co.uk 11 report Key stats: ▪ Across the UK, the total number of clubs/centres with a pool is down -2% since the 2023 report ▪ The number of pools is also down -1.8% vs 2023 ▪ At the end of March 2024, there were 2,896 sites with pools across the UK, accounting for a total of 4,272 pools; some locations have multiple pools ▪ Of this total, the public sector operates 1,613 pools and the private sector 1,283 ▪ GLL and Nuffield Health remain the UK’s leading public and private operators, respectively ▪ Leisure trust GLL leads the way in the public sector with 140 centres with a pool, with Everyone Active in second place ▪ Everyone Active (SLM) and Freedom Leisure are the only two top-ranking operators to have added five or more sites with a swimming pool in the last 12 months, logging 10 and five respectively ▪ Trusts dominate in the public sector, managing 50% of all UK pools; in Scotland the figure is 71% ▪ In the 12 months to the end of March 2024, the average pay-per-swim fee increased by 7.1% to £5.59. The State of the UK Swimming Report 2024 from LeisureDB underscores the need to reframe swimming pools as valuable assets rather than financial liabilities DAVID Minton, founder of LeisureDB, said: ‘We must challenge ourselves to review how we position pools. Local authorities are focused on appropriate provision for their communities, and swimming and water-based sports are clear contributors to health and wellbeing. ‘Going forward, we must find ways to (re)position what we offer so pools cease to be viewed as a drain on the budget and instead are celebrated for the value they bring to communities.’ GLL, the UK’s largest swimming pool provider, is already aligning its facilities with health and water safety objectives. Andrew Clark, head of sports and aquatics, notes: ‘Leisure feels like a choice; health feels essential.’ GLL’s swim school is thriving, with a 4% year-on-year growth and 220,000 students participating nationwide each week. Despite these successes, the report found that the number of swimming pools is declining, with a 1.8% reduction from 4,351 in 2023 to 4,272 in 2024. This decline is compared to 4,559 pools before the pandemic. Public leisure centres have seen a decrease from 1,646 to 1,613, a 2% drop, with 25 pools closing and only nine opening. In the private sector, pools have also decreased by 2%, from 1,309 to 1,283. The report identifies key challenges for operators, including rising energy and maintenance costs, aging infrastructure, and difficulties in recruiting swimming teachers and lifeguards. However, innovation is underway, with advancements like AIassisted lifeguard technologies improving safety and operational efficiency. The newly formed Swim Alliance aims to unify the sector, advocating for the social, health and economic benefits of swimming, and urging the government to support existing pools and replace outdated ones. The demand for swimming remains strong. Nuffield Health, the largest private pool operator, reports a 10% year-on-year increase in web traffic to its swim pages and notes that adults who swim retain their gym memberships for five months longer than those who do not. Total Fitness has also launched a Swim Academy to meet growing demand. For further details, the full report is available for free at www.leisuredb.com/publications Stateof the UK Swimming Report 2024
12 paf-media.co.uk event preview Join us for the second physical activity facilities forum Europe in February 2025, which offers the unique opportunity to combine an immersive business experience with the activities and backdrop of the Alps THE physical activity facilities forum Europe is set to take place from 24-27 February 2025, in Switzerland, offering a unique blend of business and leisure against the stunning backdrop of the Alps. For the second year running, this groundbreaking event merges the excitement of winter sports with invaluable business networking opportunities. Held in the charming Swiss town of Andermatt, the forum helps professionals from across the industry connect and grow their businesses in an unparalleled setting. The Radisson Blu Hotel, located in the heart of the Alps, will serve as the venue for the forum. This luxurious hotel offers easy access to a range of winter sports and is the perfect base for ski and snowboard enthusiasts. After a day of networking and outdoor activities, guests can unwind with a soothing massage at the on-site spa or relax in their rooms. Andermatt's breathtaking mountain scenery promises to elevate the forum experience beyond typical business events. Attendees will enjoy guided tours of the historic old town, insightful talks on the region’s past and stunning panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks. We’ve chosen Andermatt for its enchanting environment and we’re confident you’ll be captivated by its beauty, just as we have been. Work hard, play hard The forum kicks off with a fireside chat featuring leading figures from the fitness and leisure industry, who will explore current trends, challenges and innovations, in addition to delving deep into the hot topics of the day. The event provides a platform for delegates to connect with industry peers while engaging in productive discussions and network opportunities. Packages include a two-day ski pass, equipment rental and lessons for all skill levels. A highlight of the event will be a fondue party at 2,222 meters on the mountainside, as well as a gala dinner, entertainment and additional alpine activities. Unprecedented networking opportunities Helen Adkins, the new paf editor, highlights the unique networking possibilities in this picturesque setting: ‘This is an unparalleled chance for the leisure and fitness industry to
paf-media.co.uk 13 event preview engage in tailored networking against a stunning backdrop. It really is a must-attend event for anyone in the sector.’ Stable Events MD Toby Filby adds: ‘We are thrilled to host the second year of this successful forum, combining meeting rooms with mountain views. And our events wouldn’t be possible without the support of our event partners, which include ukactive, Europe active, Elevate and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS).’ As a complimentary buyer, you’ll stay at the forefront of the evolving landscape of physical activity facilities, meeting innovative suppliers and forging valuable business relationships. Suppliers, in turn, will gain exclusive access to key decision-makers involved in the design, build and management of physical activity facilities, including operators, local authorities, universities, architects, contractors and consultants. Join us in Switzerland for a forum where business meets adventure, and make the most of this exceptional opportunity to advance your career and network in a truly memorable setting. www.paf-europe.com Partners & Supporters: Dave Stalker, on paf Europe 2024, speaking at the event ‘paf Europe 2024 has been exciting, different and intimate. It’s been incredibly well structured, with enough time to chat and get to know each other. It’s such a change from most standard events – this stands on its own. The great thing about the audience here, is that it’s packed full of really busy people whose time is valuable, which means Stable Events have got the right audience. I would say my time is also valuable, but I have endless time for an event like this if it’s going to add value, so, for me, people are getting really stuck in because they know these conservations are important. Some conversations will result in small changes to their business, and some might be niche ideas, but some of the conversations I’ve had could literally be game changing. It's rare that I come to an event like this where I don’t know everyone. You’ve brought people from Europe, but also from different industries together and it’s been seamless. And that is the strength of the event. I’ve come across ideas and spoken to people from many other industries. I might never use those ideas, but then not everything has to be a commercial decision that I make some value out of. Improving my knowledge and learning about new things is so valuable because I’ve seen things through a new lens. I’ve spoken to people from the industry I know and love, but I’ve spoken to people from other industries here and that has never happened in 35 years of being in health and fitness. Would I come again? That’s a no-brainer. I’ve loved the intimacy of this event, and I think it will expand and grow. I would say to everyone I speak to that they have to try this one. I go to thousands of events and this one is just ‘wow’. To attend as a supplier, contact: julian@stable-events.co.uk To attend as a complimentary buyer delegate, contact: georgie.smith@stable-events.co.uk
leisuredb.com Leisure DB’s State of the UK Swimming Industry Report 2024 provides an unparalleled overview of this vital sector. With expert commentary, interviews and advice throughout – plus a full breakdown of pool numbers and locations, openings and closures, public and private sector leaders, fees, facilities and more – we’ve made this must-read report free to read. Join us as we democratise data across the sector. Dive in at leisuredb.com/publications and enjoy all our flagship reports for FREE. TAKE A FREE DIVE into the UK’s swimming pool industry
skateboarding paf-media.co.uk 15 The inclusion of skateboarding in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics underscored its growing importance as a global sport and reshaped public perceptions. We find out how this mainstream acceptance is now fuelling a surge in demand in the UK IN the last decade, skateboarding has evolved from its counter culture roots into a globally recognised sport and lifestyle. The inclusion of skateboarding in the Tokyo 2020 highlighted its growing significance and shifted perceptions, while in the UK, the sport's increasing mainstream acceptance is driving demand for dedicated spaces where skaters can hone their skills, connect with their peers and contribute to a vibrant urban culture. According to Statista, the number of people who participate in skateboarding at least once a month at any intensity, for any duration in the UK increased in 2023 over the previous year, with approximately 79,000 people skateboarding on a monthly basis. There are currently over 20,000 skateparks in the UK, up from around 16,000 before 2020. Whilst not a huge jump, many more are in the planning stage, with a large number of parks being refurbished to improve the quality and design. London’s Southbank ‘skate space’, a legendary spot that was designed in 1967 by London County Council architects Ron Herron and Warren Chalk, and who would later join avant-garde architecture collective Archigram, has received recent renovations to enhance its facilities. Further skate parks are emerging in areas previously underserved by skateboarding infrastructure or are being refurbished after decades of neglect. Hackney Bumps skatepark, one of London’s oldest from 1986, has been revitalised by a dedicated group of volunteers. The community-led renovation project involved fundraising, offering free skateboarding lessons to locals and manually polishing the park's worn surfaces, with help from the skateboard design and construction firm Betongpark. The Olympic factor Neil Ellis, head of digital engagement at Skateboarding GB, the national governing body for the sport, says that the inclusion as an Olympic sport put skateboarding in the public eye and created a new-found credibility: ‘We’ve seen really good things happen as a result. First of all, a lot more people are getting on skateboards. After both Olympics, there was over a 30% increase in people looking for skateboarding lessons, including a 20% increase in the number of females year on year. We partnered with Samsung recently where they helped fund 1,000 free skateboard lessons around the the evolution of UK skateparks Image© Skateboard GB/Paul Scott
country – 50% of those were taken up by young girls.’ In addition to the Olympic factor, Ellis cites other factors in the recent growth of skateboarding: ‘Everyone kind of expected skateboarding to grow because of the Olympics – and of course it did – but before Tokyo we had Covid, which created the biggest boom to skateboarding that we'd seen in the last two decades. And that was because all the sports facilities were shut down, so skateboarding provided opportunity and accessibility for people to jump on a board, go to a car park or skate down the street.’ Skateboard GB has since established a talent pathway, with six hubs around the UK – London, Manchester, Nottingham, Glasgow and Cardiff – where individuals can be supported with their aspirations to become competition skateboarders. Ellis admits, however, that it’s still early days: ‘We’re still learning what that looks like, because we want to ensure that the culture of skateboarding is still immersed in that. We do have hub coaches that help people with techniques and tricks, but skating also involves a lot of peer-to-peer learning, even at an elite level.’ Another major challenge for skateboarding in the UK is the absence of an Olympicstandard park. However, as Bradford gears up to become 2025 UK City of Culture, C20 Society and Ian Chalk Architects have recently produced a proposal for the abandoned Grade II-listed Richard Dunn Sports Centre in the city. If realised, ‘The Dunn’ could see the 1970s leisure centre converted into a new national home for skateboarding, creating the first permanent indoor/outdoor Olympiclevel skate facility of its type in the world. 16 paf-media.co.uk skateboarding Hackney Bumps refurbishment in East London, exemplifies Betongpark’s commitment to community-driven initiatives Image:©Betongpark Stockwell Skatepark Image:©Betongpark First year for skateboarding at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 ‘After both Olympics, there was over a 30% increase in people looking for skateboarding lessons, including a 20% increase in the number of females year on year’
skateboarding Skatepark refurbishments Ellis has also noted the shift in attention from local authorities in recent years, many of whom are reaching out to Skateboard GB for guidance on construction, and particularly requesting their facilities and planning documents. Previously, he explains, local authorities would have a budget of around £500,000 for a new play park and would add a skate park as an afterthought, treating it more as an extension of the playground rather than a dedicated sports facility. This has led to a large number of outdated parks around the country that are not fit for purpose. Ellis claims that there’s now there’s much more thought, planning and consideration going into these spaces, reflecting the sport’s growing recognition and importance. Stuart Maclure is development manager at Betongpark, with over 9 years experience managing high profile construction projects, including the restoration of the Southbank skate space and the iconic Stockwell Skatepark in Brixton. Originally founded in Norway around 12 years ago, the company is now one of Europe’s industry leaders in skatepark design and construction. With a UK office, Betongpark’s in-house team is responsible for all aspects of the design and construction, and all employees have a strong skateboarding background. ‘I think our success with Betongpark is down to our passion for detail because we're all skaters. We're 100% skater owned and operated, right from the guys on site and our concrete pourers to our engineer and people in the office.’ Maclure attributes the surge in skateboarding’s popularity to three key factors. Firstly, he cites the sport's inclusion in the Olympics and the success of the UK team. Secondly, there’s the enhanced appeal of skateboarding through marketing and branding. ‘The Olympics and the success of the UK team have definitely contributed to the sport's rising profile,’ he notes, ‘ but also, it’s now deemed as cool. It certainly wasn’t when I was younger – you’d just get shouted at in the streets.’ Thirdly, he explains that the deterioration of many skateparks in the country due to inadequate construction and design has meant that local authorities are being forced to replace them. ‘Often these skateparks were built by playground companies, especially in the early noughties. The metal ramps with void spaces were off-the-shelf, prefabricated products that were pushed by people who didn’t fully understand skateboarding.’ With the advent of concrete, free-form skateparks, the design improved, but construction quality still lagged. ‘We got contractors who used subcontractors who weren’t skaters,’ he adds. ‘They were concrete workers but not concrete skatepark specialists. It makes a difference.’ Maclure stresses that being a skater is key to understanding the technical precision required in skatepark construction. ‘Skateboards have very small wheels, so we work with a deviation of 2-3 mm. Anything more than that can be a nightmare for skaters.’ They also employ fulltime concrete specialists dedicated solely to skateparks. ‘The construction technique is critical,’ he says. ‘It involves multiple passes and a high level of detail, with the pressure to get it right the first time.’ Design is crucial to the success of a new park. Previously, UK skateparks were produced en masse, often falling short of their Danish or America counterparts. ‘UK parks were often cookie-cutter,’ Maclure observes. ‘A fresh approach with creative flair and attention to detail was much needed. Each one of our projects is unique – we don’t want to design the same thing twice.’ Funding challenges Despite the rising popularity, securing funding for new skate parks has become increasingly challenging in recent years. The costs of developing a new park can vary massively, depending on the ground conditions, materials and riding features. ‘I think our success with Betongpark is down to our passion for detail because we're all skaters’ paf-media.co.uk 17 Since the Olympics, there’s been a 20% increase in the number of females year seeking lessons Image:©Betongpark Helena Long at Betongpark’s temporary skatepark on the Strand Image: ©Henry Kingsford Etienne Turnbull at the 2023 National Championships STREET at BaySixty6, London Image:©Skateboard GB/garryjonesphotography
Skateboard GB offers a ballpark figure of approximately £400 per m2 for its design and construction, with a micro skatepark costing from £40,000-£50,000 through to an international sized park costing anything up to £2 million. Refurbishments are more costeffective than new builds, although again, the cost can vary hugely. Traditionally, funding sources included Section 106 agreements, where developers are required to contribute to local councils for recreational projects when building residential developments. Additionally, landfill trusts— funded through levies on waste disposal sites— along with National Lottery grants – have been utilised. However, the dramatic drop in available funding has made it more difficult for many clients to secure the necessary resources for new skate park projects. A project in Victoria Park in Bristol received a much-needed renovation earlier this year, having been constructed in 2011 and poorly designed from the outset. The renovation was partially supported by the public through crowdfunding, which made more the £24,000. Dan Higginson, founder of the Bristol Skatepark Collective, points out that there have been no new skateparks in Bristol in 20 years. He says: ‘The donations came from old people, young people and everyone in between. It’s great to have somewhere central where people can come and skate for free, get them out of the house and get them socialising.’ Ellis concurs: ‘Despite the popularity of the Olympics, skateboarding is primarily a non-competitive activity, with approximately 80% of skaters participating purely for enjoyment rather than competition. That’s important to remember.’ The rise in new skatepark construction across the UK highlights skateboarding's growing role in contemporary urban life, benefiting both riders and the broader community. As cities and towns invest in these facilities, skateboarding is set to thrive, influencing urban landscapes and enriching community life. This investment underscores a commitment to creating inclusive, dynamic spaces that cater to skaters’ diverse needs and support the sport's future, including its ongoing success in the Olympics. www.skateboardgb.org www.betongpark.co.uk 18 paf-media.co.uk ‘Despite the rising popularity, securing funding for new skate parks has become increasingly challenging in recent years’ Tay Cunningham at the 2023 National Championships PARK at XC Skatepark, Hemel Hempstead Image: ©Skateboard GB/garryjonesphotography Betongpark’s Lillestrøm Skatepark, Norway Image: ©Betongpark skateboarding
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20 paf-media.co.uk project Newly released images reveal the stunning Stade Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco, a monumental stadium set to become the largest football venue in the world and positioned as a potential venue for the FIFA World Cup 2030 WITH a capacity of 115,000, this stadium has been designed by Populous architecture, in collaboration with Paris-based architects Oualalou + Choi. Inspired by Morocco’s traditional social gatherings known as a 'moussem,' the design features a grand tented roof that dramatically integrates with the surrounding forested landscape. This bold architectural choice not only enhances the visual impact of the stadium but also reflects Moroccan cultural heritage. The stadium’s design ensures a vibrant and immersive atmosphere. At each end of the expansive bowl, three steep compact tiers will accommodate 29,500 general admission spectators, creating an intense and engaging environment. The main stands, flanking the pitch, will offer five levels of hospitality, catering to 12,000 VVIP, VIP and general hospitality guests, including a dedicated royal box. A unique aluminium lattice forms the stadium's striking roof, supported by a ring of 32 stairways. These monumental gateways lead to lush gardens situated on raised platforms, 28 meters above the ground. This arrangement creates an extraordinary spatial experience, offering a verdant oasis beneath the translucent roof. The design is further enhanced by botanical gardens at ground level, extending the theme of greenery and reinforcing the stadium’s connection to nature. The Stade Hassan II is designed to meet FIFA’s standards, positioning itself as a potential venue for the FIFA World Cup 2030, following Morocco’s selection as a joint host with Spain and Portugal. Additionally, it will serve as the home for two local football clubs. Groundwork preparations are already underway on a 100-hectare site in El Mansouria, Benslimane Province, located 38 km north of Casablanca, with public financing approved in October 2023. Stade Hassan II ‘Inspired by Morocco’s traditional social gatherings known as a 'moussem,' the design features a grand tented roof that dramatically integrates with the surrounding forested landscape’
paf-media.co.uk 21 project The design team includes engineering firms Maffeis Engineering, ME Engineering and Rider Levett Bucknall. Christopher Lee, managing director at Populous for the EMEA region, expressed enthusiasm about the project: ‘We are thrilled to collaborate with Oualalou + Choi on this remarkable endeavour. The Grand Stade Hassan II will be an iconic venue for Morocco and for football, destined to become one of the world’s great stadia.’ Tarik Oualalou, design principal and founding partner at Oualalou + Choi, noted: ‘The Grand Stade Hassan II is deeply rooted in Moroccan culture, blending traditional elements with contemporary design. It draws from the ancient and primordial figures of the Moussem, the tent and the garden, as well as Morocco’s topography and landscapes. This stadium represents Moroccan hospitality and a respect for nature.’ François Clément, senior principal and president of Populous France, added: ‘The Grand Stade Hassan II will offer exceptional spaces and experiences for every fan and visitor. It embodies King Mohammed VI’s vision to advance Morocco’s football infrastructure and elevate the country’s standing in global sports architecture.’ www.oplusc.com www.populous.com The Stade Hassan II in Casablanca is set to become the largest football venue in the world A unique aluminium lattice forms the stadium's striking roof, supported by a ring of 32 stairways The stadium is positioned as a potential venue for FIFA World Cup 2030 The stadium will have a capacity of 115,000 people
22 paf-media.co.uk interview ‘‘MY background is in sport. I was on the British rowing team for four years, and after that I went into personal training. Once I had my children, I got interested in pelvic floor health and other aspects of women’s health, and realised most women didn’t know about their bodies. I met Bella through friends, and read about Emma in the Telegraph because she’d just launched this Women in Sport supplement and I thought she was very impressive and pioneering. We started presenting on the menopause together and found we had a great response. We realised that you can be employed, educated and insured as a PE teacher, a CrossFit trainer, a yoga teacher or a director of sport – and basically be in charge of After receiving a MSc in health sciences from Bristol University, Baz Moffat won Silver in the 2008 World Rowing Cup. In 2021, she joined Dr Bella Smith and Dr Emma Ross to create The Well HQ, with a mission to educate the fitness industry in women’s health. This year the company announced their partnership with The Fitness Group, the UK’s leading fitness education training provider
hundreds of girls and women – and no-one will ask if you’ve had any education about female health. If you look at participation rates of girls from the age of five, and injury rates in girls and women when they're doing sport, they're much higher than with boys and men, and this is because the workforce hasn’t been educated about female health. Yes, courses exist, but they are extra and it doesn’t matter if you don’t have that education. We are a CIMSPA-endorsed training provider, which is important because there Steven Dick: ‘We’ve been aware of The Well HQ for some time and their entry into the market. The area of menopause is something our graduates ask about, in particular, so it made sense for us to partner with them. Women's health and pre- and post-natal has been a huge CPD for us for a number of years now for – it's about giving them the tools to support the sector under their business. Since we opened our first gym in 2015, we’ve seen a growing interest in education around women’s health and the menopause. The desire to gain specialist knowledge is increasing year on year, and continues to grow, from operators, as well those who are supporting the community and looking at where the demand is coming from. At the moment, we’re very much at Stage One of the partnership. We’re trying to get the message across to all of our current and previous learners, which amounts to tens of thousands in the industry, so they can top up their knowledge. For Stage Two, we’ll be having broader conversations about training and development across the UK, as well as the UAE and the Middle East where we’re expanding into and where training is needed. A lot of operators have hundreds of people in their teams and these conversations will be looking at what skills are missing. So, I hope the menopause will be part of those packages, because I know from personal experience within gyms that a lot of trainers don't have that knowledge. I think there’s a huge shift towards wellness and people are becoming a lot more rounded in their approach. It’s much more of a holistic practice, which includes mindfulness and nutrition. It’s important that this sector is responding to that and ensuring that the trainers are equipped to support the sector and engage with the non-engaged, as well as the engaged. There are so many people that are not active in the gym, so we need to make sure that trainers are okay with those people. The important thing is that we stay engaged – a cliché but true.’ www.thefitnessgrp.co.uk paf-media.co.uk 23 interview Steven Dick is the co-founder and director of The Fitness Group, which is the UK’s leading provider of personal training courses, offering entry-level fitness instructor courses and Level 3 PT courses to accredited CPD courses and internationally recognised qualifications ’ are a lot of courses out there, but ours is evidence-based. I think everybody should be able to help a menopausal woman, for instance, with exercise and create a programme which will massively benefit the quality of her life going forward. We might be looking at a woman in her 50s, who hasn’t exercised for a while and might not know how to squat, lunge or deadlift, so we need to be able to teach her that she's probably got pelvic floor issues because she may well have had children and low oestrogen levels. We also need to make sure that the personal trainer doesn't freak out and run for the hills because the word ‘menopause’ has been mentioned. There are some men who have never had a conversation about anything to do with women's health, so to expect them then to be able to handle this sort of thing in a professional setting is quite tricky. I would love every personal trainer just to be able to hold that hold that space, and then help women manage their symptoms. We might not be able to help, but I'm pretty sure that we can help with some of them. We decided to partner with The Fitness Group because they wanted to take all this seriously. They've obviously got the products that they're selling, but they recognise there’s a gap when it comes to the personal training qualification. We’re the experts in this space so it makes a lot of sense to kind of partner up. At the moment, they are selling our courses as part of their personal training qualifications – and people get an option to buy our courses. But we're working together, having lots of conversations and just kind of building our relationship, so I hope it leads into something bigger in terms of incorporating female health into some of their qualifications. I’d love for women’s health education to be incorporated into personal training qualifications more quickly. The health and wellbeing space, as opposed to the aesthetic, is taking time to evolve. There are some pioneering pieces of work going in this space, and it’s a huge opportunity, but it’s not happening fast enough.’ www.thewell-hq.com ‘We also need to make sure that the personal trainer doesn't freak out and run for the hills because the word ‘menopause’ has been mentioned’
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paf-media.co.uk 25 utilities WHEN a private members golf club in the West Midlands was under pressure to improve the showering experience for its guests, they called on Bristan to provide a solution which would not only deliver userfriendly, high-power showering but would also help to reduce the club’s water usage. Established in 1896, Edgbaston Golf Club is one of the top private member golf clubs in the Midlands, with an 18-hole course designed by Harry Colt, located just a mile from the centre of Birmingham. The golf club has around 800 playing and social members, and offers a parkland course for amateurs and casual golfers, as well as a beautiful Georgian clubhouse and facilities for corporate hire, weddings and events. In 2015, the club replaced the showers in its men’s changing rooms, as they found the showers were being left running which was contributing to a hefty water bill. However, members did not like the timed showers installed, so the management were forced to look for an alternative solution. Solution providers Peter Fawcus, general manager at the club, said: ‘We had issues with the showers being left on, so we thought timed shower units would alleviate the problem. But the showers we had installed proved inconsistent – some would stay on for 40 seconds, others would go off after 20 seconds – and they could not deliver the required water pressure so our members were not at all happy with their showering experience. We needed to try something else.’ Having worked with Bristan on other projects at the golf club in the past, Fawcus contacted the company through Gas Centre, a local merchant in Solihull, and asked for their advice. Bristan recommended its TMV3 OPAC concealed shower with lever controls. Bristan’s OPAC showers are elegantly simple, with a single sequential control for both temperature and flow, and a contemporary chrome plated finish. The lever control makes the shower very inclusive as it is suitable for people with a range of dexterities, and also ensures it is particularly intuitive to use. for Edgbaston sports When two Birmingham sports facilities needed bespoke solutions to their water needs, Bristan was able to provide improved experiences for customers, as well as reduce water usage The TMV3 OPAC concealed shower with lever controls Edgbaston Golf Club Bristan solutions
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