St Illtyd’s Primary pupils share ‘excitement’ for proposed Swansea leisure destination

Year 4 pupils recently took part in the event at their school along with representatives from Skyline Enterprises, the company behind the proposals for Skyline Swansea on Kilvey Hill.

The proposal, which would be the company’s first in the UK and Europe, is to “open up Kilvey Hill for all” by featuring gondola cable cars from Landore Park & Ride to the top of the hill where there would be zipline rides, non-motorised downhill karting known as the Luge, an exhilarating Sky Swing, and food and beverage outlets with views across Swansea Bay. 

During the session, the pupils debated Skyline’s proposals and each got to ask the Skyline team a question they had previously prepared. The children were then offered the chance to sit in a Luge kart which Skyline had flown over from their New Zealand attraction.  

Following the session, Year 4 teacher, Damian Dalton, said: “We’ve all had a great afternoon with Skyline. I’d like to thank them for taking the time to come and talk to the children today. I think things like this are essential to show the children what’s going on around them. My class have learned an awful lot about Kilvey Hill, its past and present, and maybe its future!

“I was really interested to hear about the educational programmes Skyline have got in the other countries they operate in, and, if it goes ahead on Kilvey Hill, hopefully we could go up there and learn about the environment and how they are protecting it as they’re building.” 

Pupils who attended the event also shared their excitement at the proposals.

Ava Coombes, aged 9, said: “I wasn’t so sure at first but after our debate today, I’d be very excited if Skyline comes to Swansea. Kilvey Hill is such a beautiful place to visit and I think everyone should experience it. I think it’s going to be a great experience if it does go ahead.” 

Skyline took time out of a busy week of public consultation events to visit the school after it received an email from one of its pupils, nine-year-old Maisie Stokes, asking them for more information on the proposals. 

Skyline Enterprises Chief Executive Officer, Geoff McDonald, said: “As soon as we read Maisie’s email, we just knew we had to come and hear more from her and her classmates. We’re delighted to have had the opportunity to meet with them and thank Mr Dalton and St Illtyd’s Primary School for having us. The children had some really valuable and interesting feedback on our proposals for Skyline Swansea. It really was a lovely afternoon, and we look forward to hearing more from them as we go through the planning application process.

“In fact, we look forward to further engagement with everyone in Swansea as our application progresses. Community support was very strong during our recent consultation events, and we look forward to continuing the dialogue with people in Swansea.”

The Welsh Government recently announced a £4m investment in the Skyline proposals to bring the tourism attraction to Swansea.

Lead image: Children from St Illtyds RC Primary School with (L-R) Geoff McDonald (Skyline), Damian Dalton (Yr 4 Teacher) and Danny Luke (Skyline).