Above and Beyond – Our Roof Project
UPDATE: After a successful community outreach event in summer 2025 the plans for our roof project were submitted to Portsmouth City Planners for approval. You can view and post a comment on the application on the planning portal.
After years of careful planning and development, the charity behind Southsea Skatepark is excited to unveil visionary plans for a new roof and building that will significantly enhance this much-loved community facility. Local residents, businesses, and organisations are warmly invited to a special community consultation event to view the designs, meet the team behind the project, and have their say.
The proposed redevelopment is both ambitious and respectful — a modern, sustainable structure that draws inspiration from Portsmouth’s rich architectural heritage while embracing cutting-edge design. The building will include new viewing areas for spectators, a café, and a shop, creating a welcoming, social hub that serves skaters, BMXers and scooter riders and the wider community year-round and in all weathers.
Southsea Skatepark is one of the oldest skateparks in the UK, dating back to 1978, but unlike any other skatepark in the world it has it’s roots as a rollerskating rink going back many decades before that. The skatepark’s historic and iconic bandstand was itself a community hub for music and dance from 1928. The skatepark has for generations been an important community hub bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to get creative, meet new people and have fun.
Importantly, the new design reflects the skatepark’s historic location within a conservation area, incorporating subtle architectural details drawn from Southsea’s built environment — a blend of old and new that honours the past while looking to the future. The new building will also seamlessly connect both the new inside skatepark area to the legendary concrete skatepark outside.
As part of its commitment to the local environment, the building has been thoughtfully designed to blend subtly with its natural surroundings. It will feature living green walls and integrated solar panels, aligning with the city’s sustainability goals and the heritage character of the area.
Designs by Paul Chasin Architects.
“This isn’t just a roof — it’s a complete reimagining of what Southsea Skatepark can be,” said Victoria Wenyon, a trustee of the charity. “It’s about creating a lasting, inclusive space that reflects the character of our city, while providing modern facilities for current and future generations.”
Note: Ramp layouts shown are just for illustrative purposes, all ramps and ramp layouts will be designed in partnership with professional ramp builders once the overall building planning is approved.
