Jamaica’s first indoor skatepark launched at UTech

The Caribbean School of Architecture (CSA), University of Technology, has launched Jamaica’s first indoor mobile skatepark which is a fully transportable facility, equipped with a professional mini ramp and street course, designed to bring skateboarding directly into schools, universities, and communities across the island.

The initiative was unveiled at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium on August 7, as part of a partnership between the French Embassy in Jamaica and the Jamaica Skate Culture Foundation.

During the launch, Dr. Kevin Brown, president, University of Technology, Jamaica; Olivier Guyonvarch, French ambassador to Jamaica; and Remy Walter, founder of the Jamaica Skate Culture Foundation, also discussed the possibility of establishing a university-based skate club and developing coaching and mentorship programmes to support the growth of skateboarding in Jamaica.

Architect Andre Baugh, acting head of the CSA, highlighted the school’s active involvement in the initiative through ongoing collaboration with the French Embassy and the Jamaica Skate Culture Foundation.

In July 2024, the CSA hosted an international design-build workshop under the theme, ‘Skating for a Better Future’. The workshop brought together CSA lecturers and students, along with the French architectural practice, Building for Climate, in a project that recognised the inclusion of skateboarding in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Design Build workshop led to the development of a design proposal for a multifunctional skatepark in Boston Bay, laying the groundwork for future infrastructure that supports youth and community engagement through skateboarding.

Following the workshop, discussions between Walter and Baugh continued, focused on bringing the mobile skatepark to UTech, Jamaica, and exploring the possibility of developing additional skateparks across Jamaica. The idea to launch the initiative in the Alfred Sangster Auditorium was strengthened through conversations with Professor Kamilah Hylton, strategic lead for sport development and integration, UTech, Jamaica, whose enthusiasm and leadership helped bring the vision to life.

Skateboarding, which made its Olympic début at the Tokyo 2020 Games and continued into the Paris 2024 Olympics, is now recognised globally as a legitimate and influential sport. This initiative is part of a broader movement led by the Jamaica Skate Culture Foundation, in collaboration with the French Embassy in Jamaica and supported by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at expanding skateboarding across the island.