THE skate park in Wotton-under-Edge had its official grand opening over the weekend in a massive boost for youth in the area.

Though many riders have already been enjoying the skate park in New Road since February, there was plenty to enjoy on Saturday, March 21, when the park was officially declared open by Councillors John and June Cordwell.

Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl spoke at the event about the importance of such facilities and the benefits they offer the whole community.

There were more than 50 riders at the park over the course of the day, with skateboarders from Bristol joining local riders to take part in competitions and demonstrations of amazing skill.

Barnaby Beere is the chairman of Wotton Community Sports Foundation, who headed the project to bring Wotton a skate park.

He said: “We’re really pleased with the new skate park. It was an amazing day and our thanks to the team from Wheelscape for building such an excellent facility ahead of schedule.

“Our most grateful thanks to everyone who supported this project, which we’re sure will be a great asset for Wotton and the surrounding area"

Cllr Cordwell was delighted to be able to open the park to youth in the area alongside his wife after achieving funding through the Gloucestershire County Council to complete the work.

He said: "I am delighted that through the County Council’s Active Together grant I was able to secure the balance of the funds required to complete it.

"It is a marvellous facility for people in the area, young and not so young, and one that several generations of young people have asked for."

The next development on the WCSF New Road site will be to provide a new and safer access path direct to the skate park from the Wotton to Kingswood Road adjacent to Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School.

WCSF are arranging to lease a strip of land in an adjoining field to construct a tarmac surfaced path across to the site which will also connect to the proposed 2.5km jogging track and allow safer pedestrian access to all the facilities on the New Road sporting hub.

If you would like to contribute or can help in any way, please email contact@wcsf.org.uk.