Spalding St Paul’s skatepark gets a makeover but Lincolnshire county councillor promises to hold extreme sports events if the site is looked after

A town skate park could be set to host regular extreme sports competitions.

Street artists Karl Barfoot and Adam Sadd are adding the finishing touches to their makeover of Spalding’s St Paul’s Park, which includes an eyecatching underwater theme including fish, jellyfish and a giant octopus.

And when the wok is complete, local youngsters are keen to make the most of the facility, and also show it off by hosting skate, scooter and BMX events.

County and district councillor Rob Gibson, who enlisted Karl and Adam to do the work to cover up unsightly daubings, has agreed to put on what could be annual events – but only if the park is kept in good nick.

“They want a street light out there and some competitions,” Coun Gibson explained.

“I have said that if the children keep it nice and clean and tidy and don’t put graffiti on there then I will hold a competition next April, and every April, for skaters, scooters and BMXs.

“If they want a competition we’ll put on a competition weekend.

“I’m quite a champion of young children and I don’t particularly feel South Holland has a lot for young children compared to cities. You see what events and facilities they have so I’d love to help Spalding.

“But it’s up to everybody to keep it tidy. The Wombles shouldn’t have to tidy it on a daily basis.”

Coun Gibson said he was ‘over the moon’ with how the street art looks.

The team will shortly complete the project by jazzing up the park’s bins with ‘keep tidy’ messages.

“The skate park had graffiti all over it, unpleasant stuff that young people should not be seeing,” Coun Gibson continued.

“I just thought it needed to be washed down and we needed a way to stop people putting these phallic symbols on there.

“The art that they’ve created is fantastic and how they’ve done it, I’m amazed. I’ve got pictures of every stage and I’m amazed how their brains work.

“It’s a different way of people expressing themselves.”

The nautical design got the nod after youngsters were encouraged to vote online for their favourite of three visions.

It was also via Facebook that the requests for competitions and a streetlight were made.