Bengaluru
oi-Madhuri Adnal
Jawahar
Bal
Bhavan
in
Bengaluru
is
set
to
establish
an
international-standard
skateboarding
park
aimed
at
grooming
athletes
from
Karnataka
for
Olympic-level
competitions.
The
hybrid
facility
will
come
up
inside
Cubbon
Park
on
nearly
half
an
acre
of
land
at
an
estimated
cost
of
₹1.5
crore
and
is
expected
to
open
by
April
or
May
2026.
The
project
will
mark
Karnataka’s
first
government-owned
public
skateboarding
park.
Currently,
skateboarders
rely
largely
on
a
few
private
facilities
located
on
the
outskirts
of
the
city,
where
high
fees
and
poor
public
transport
limit
access.
Officials
say
the
centrally
located
Bal
Bhavan
campus,
with
metro
and
bus
connectivity,
will
significantly
improve
accessibility
for
users.
Jawahar
Bal
Bhavan
in
Bengaluru
is
constructing
an
international-standard
skateboarding
park
in
Cubbon
Park,
expected
to
open
by
April
or
May
2026
at
an
estimated
cost
of
₹1.5
crore,
offering
hybrid
Street
and
Park
sections
for
training,
with
the
goal
of
nurturing
athletes
for
Olympic-level
competitions.
Due
to
space
constraints,
planners
have
opted
for
a
hybrid
design
that
merges
two
internationally
recognised
competition
formats-Street
and
Park-into
a
single
integrated
skating
area.
This
layout
will
allow
skaters
to
practise
both
styles
in
one
session
instead
of
moving
between
separate
zones.
The
Park
section
will
include
half
and
quarter
pipes,
bowls,
ledges,
a
fun
box,
a
snake
run
and
a
structure
inspired
by
an
empty
swimming
pool
with
steep
walls,
enabling
aerial
tricks,
spins
and
grabs.
The
Street
section
will
replicate
urban
settings
with
rails,
stair
sets
and
ledges
designed
for
slides,
grinds
and
technical
manoeuvres.
The
facility
will
be
open
to
skaters
aged
five
and
above
and
can
accommodate
around
40
users
at
a
time.
Entry
will
be
restricted
to
active
skateboarders,
and
the
space
will
not
be
used
as
a
general
hangout
area.
Authorities
are
also
considering
providing
skateboards
on
an
hourly
rental
basis
once
the
park
opens.
Training
programmes
will
primarily
target
beginners
with
no
prior
skateboarding
experience.
Jawahar
Bal
Bhavan
Society
president
B.R.
Naidu
said
structured
training
would
be
offered
through
both
online
and
offline
modes,
with
separate
charges
for
entry,
coaching
and
skateboard
rentals.
Details
of
the
fee
structure
will
be
announced
later.
Officials
said
the
project
is
also
intended
to
address
safety
concerns,
as
many
skateboarders
currently
practise
on
city
roads,
increasing
the
risk
of
accidents.
The
new
park
will
offer
a
supervised
environment
where
enthusiasts
and
emerging
talent
can
train
safely.
An
experienced
skateboarder,
who
did
not
wish
to
be
named,
said
Karnataka
has
strong
potential
in
the
sport
if
adequate
infrastructure
is
provided.
He
noted
that
with
sustained
training
and
facilities,
athletes
from
the
state
could
reach
Olympic-level
competitions
within
the
next
15
years
and
urged
the
government
to
develop
similar
parks
in
other
districts.
Construction
is
scheduled
to
begin
by
the
end
of
January
2026,
with
completion
targeted
for
the
summer
holiday
period.
Officials
have
indicated
that
entry
charges
will
be
kept
affordable
to
encourage
wider
participation.
With
dedicated
infrastructure,
organised
training
and
a
central
location,
the
upcoming
skateboarding
park
at
Jawahar
Bal
Bhavan
is
expected
to
strengthen
Karnataka’s
public
sports
ecosystem
and
support
the
development
of
skateboarders
capable
of
competing
at
national
and
international
levels.
