Halifax skate park celebrates four successful years

A skate park based at our Calderdale Business Park in Halifax celebrated its fourth anniversary with an action-packed day-long party.

Mags on Ramps opened at the centre four years ago and fast became an important part of the local community.  Its owners, husband and wife Sharon and Michael Magson, risked everything to open the park as a place for teenagers in the area to hang out, have fun and develop new skills. “We were very nervous when we first opened, as we’d put all our eggs into one basket to get the skate park up and running,” says Sharon, who was previously a hairdresser prior to opening the business. “We thought there was a need in the area to give teenagers a place to go and keep them safe.  Our son was interested in skating and that gave us the idea.  It’s a private venture, so we had no external funding, but to see how it’s paying off is fantastic and so rewarding.”

Custom-built facilities

Mags on Ramps offers 14,000 square feet of indoor space dedicated to skateboards, scooters, inline skates and BMX.  It has two levels of custom built skating areas, including a street section, 4ft mini ramp, 5ft bowl and a foam pit for practicing advanced moves with a guaranteed soft landing. 

Thanks to ongoing business growth, the park has expanded over the years to also include a café and retail store.  Fundraising is currently underway for a further extension to include larger, next-level ramps and to accommodate bigger events, as well as attracting professional riders to the skate park.

Around 100 skaters and their friends and family members attended the anniversary party on Saturday, which included access to the facilities, a barbeque and bungee run.  Mini competitions and a raffle were held during the day and all proceeds will go towards funding the new extension. “We always hold an anniversary event and this one was great fun as always.  It was an absolutely brilliant day and everyone enjoyed themselves,” Sharon continues. “We’re grateful to everyone who donated raffle prizes, including Bizspace for their high street vouchers.  It was a lovely opportunity to get members of the wider community coming along to the park and seeing the fantastic facilities we have here.”

Community spirit

Mags on Ramps works a lot with community groups including hosting special sessions for Positive Futures and Lifeline, who work with underprivileged children.  The team also works alongside youth offending teams to promote positive pastimes, and Sharon and the team are always on the lookout for youngsters with a natural love and ability for skating or riding and aim to help them make the most of their talents.

Leo Spencer, who recently was named world number four in the ISA World Scooter Cham

Business facilities in Halifax

pionships in Barcelona, was spotted by Mags on Ramps not long after he first started riding and the team were able to secure him sponsorship to get him a foot on the ladder to success.

Our Calderdale Business Park is home to a wide variety of businesses and boasts some spectacular views of the nearby hills, as well as offering a roof terrace to enjoy break times in warmer weather.

The business centre has a range of industrial units, workshops, storage units, as well as offices and studio space.  Plenty of on-site parking facilities are available, free of charge.

For more information contact Business Centre Manager, Tom Harrowell, on 01422 330 433.