A year after the construction of the skatepark in the centre of Orihuela, in the Ociopía area , it has still not been opened nor have the many faults been fixed. The municipal group Cambiemos has criticised “the neglect of this project, which has been demanded by urban sports groups who have seen nothing but frustration”, they say.

Even though the works were completed last summer, it has never been opened. What’s more, “it is currently in a deplorable state,” according to Cambiemos, with graffiti, no lighting or safety bars. In addition, “its artificial grass installation is chaotic and recycled from other facilities, projecting a rather disastrous image,” they continued.

A second skatepark in the municipality, in Orihuela Costa, was completed at the beginning of this year, but is suffering a similar fate to that in the town centre, which residents have condemned. “It has poor lighting, insufficient size for the demand on the coast and it lacks security,” Cambiemos stressed.

The opposition group does not accept “the excuses of the Councilor for Sports” , Víctor Sigüenza, who alludes to the fact that it is a project from a previous government”, said councillor Quique Montero, who also pointed out that ” the municipal government has had 14 months to, at least, install security, lighting, and new artificial turf, not recycled as patches, as well as opening both skateparks so that, at least, the public can use the facilities”.

This is not the first time that Cambiemos has highlighted the poor situation of skateparks in the municipality, facilities that have been in great demand for many years. It was in 2016 when the municipalist party first presented a motion in the plenary session urging the local government to carry out the necessary procedures to build a skatepark in the municipality.