£93000 has been raised after 4 years of fundraising.
AFTER four years of fund-raising and dedication, work has started on a new £93,000 skate park which is set to be up and running in three months.
Dozens of people headed to Stilton Park, in Stilton, near Peterborough, for a ceremony which saw the skating group Stilton Sk8z presented with a contract to mark the start of the development.
Youngsters aged eight to 18 entertained the crowds, demonstrating the skills they will be putting to good use once the ramps have been installed later this year.
Discussions between councillors, youth workers and youngsters began more than two years ago after complaints that there was nothing for young people to do in the village.
After lobbying children to find out what they wanted, a public meeting was held and a youth committee formed.
Ideas for a skate park were then brought up and fund-raising soon began.
The sum of £50,000 was secured from a lottery grant, and more than £23,000 has been raised in other ways, including a 10 per cent contribution from dozens of kids involved in the project. Fund-raising will continue throughout the year.
Chairwoman of Stilton Sk8z Emily Warren (18) said: “We are all so excited and passionate about the skate park. it means everything to the 48 children who have been campaigning for it for the past four years.
“It is the youngsters who have come up with all of the designs and helped to raise a share of the money. They have worked so hard on the project over the past four years, and it is nearly through.”
Parish councillor Peter Mitchell said: “This project has been in the pipeline since 2004. In the past year, it has really gathered momentum and we hope to see it up and running by September.
“It is a tremendous project, which has enabled the adults to get to know the youths. They are a great crowd who have worked very hard to get where they are.
“Most importantly, it will give the younger generation of Stilton somewhere to go and something to skate on. The ramps won’t just be for skaters, but for any sport with wheels, including BMX bikes and roller blades.”
The parish council is leasing the land to the youngsters for £1 a year.
nFor more information about the Stilton Sk8z campaign, visit
http://www.ukskate.org.uk/www.stilton.orgWhere you can also find out about cheese rolling.
