A DAREDEVIL action sports enthusiast has spoken about why he dreams of a skate park outside The Hive - but does not believe it will ever come true.
Lewis Ratkovic suggested the area in front of The Hive in Sawmill Walk, Worcester, be turned into a 'street plaza' or 'skate park' after the city council asked for feedback about public spaces.
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The 25-year-old aspiring producer came up with the bold and innovative idea, which he believes may end up being a pipe dream, in response to a consultation about the future of outdoor play areas in the city.
He hopes a home can be found for 'action sports' and an outlet for the youth of the city.
The park could feature ledges, rails and gaps to allow skaters, scooter and BMW riders to express themselves, knowing the sport helped him clear his head at a time when he was wrestling with his own sexuality.
The former Blessed Edward's pupil of Warndon Villages, Worcester, started skateboarding 13 years ago although, since then, has developed more of an interest in scootering.
The area immediately in front of The Hive regularly gets flooded and he regards it as 'a waste of space'. Meanwhile, he said people who did skate outside the Hive quickly got told off and moved on.
Mr Ratkovic, who identifies as queer, said before he came out it would "clear my head so much to be able to hop on some wheels".
He added: "It's definitely an outlet. I have always liked the creative aspect of it.
"The community is very accepting of all gender expressions and races. Everyone is welcome."
The warehouse worker also once launched a lifestyle brand.
Despite suggesting the idea, Mr Ratkovic confessed: "I don't think it will ever happen, unfortunately.
"If you skate around here now you get told off so I tend just to stick to skate parks."
Talks are still underway about the future of Worcester's outdoor parks and play areas as part of a Strategic Play Area consultation, launched in the new year.
Worcester City Council is urging residents to voice their opinions on play areas for children and social spaces for young people.
It was Mr Ratkovic who registered the view on the consultation which read: "I personally think it would be a great idea to put a skatepark by the Hive as a place for younger adults and children to have a place in the city centre to practice and learn new tricks and skills.
"Our current facilities are too far away from the centre or are quite literally falling apart and decaying.
"I've always looked at the grassy land underneath the footbridge to the Hive as being an excellent place for some sort of street plaza that would be enjoyable for people to stand and watch people skating about a bit like Southbank skatepark in London."
The consultation is available at www.worcester.gov.uk/voiceit.
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