Youngsters pulled off some impressive jumps and tricks as some of those involved in the four year project gathered at the Wenny Recreation Ground to see it in action.
The £165,000 skate park, complete with solid concrete ramps, quarter pipes and a bowl section, was made possible thanks to £75,000 grant from funding body WREN. The rest of the money came from Fenland District Council using funds from Section 106 agreements.
The project was initiated in 2013, following an approach to Chatteris Town Council by local youngsters. Students from the Cromwell Community College subsequently got involved and worked with the district council, town council and park designers Gravity Skateparks to design the facility.
Councillor Peter Murphy, Fenland’s Cabinet member responsible for the environment and open spaces, said: “I’d like to thank the very many people who have helped to create this exciting new skate park, especially the young people in Chatteris who helped design it.
“They have wanted something like this for some time, so it’s going to make a real difference to them. We’re extremely grateful to have received such generous funding from WREN to help make this possible, and are delighted the project has now come to fruition.”
Chatteris mayor Bill Haggata added: “The skate park, in addition to our playground facilities, has transformed an underused playing field into an attractive area for the whole community to enjoy. It’s a great asset for Chatteris.”
Dr Mark Pearson, from Cromwell Community College, said: “It’s great that a community facility has been designed with input from the community, with college students being given a great opportunity to help shape the park.”
Cheryl Raynor, WREN’s grant manager for Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, said: “It’s wonderful to see something we have funded finally open and ready to make such a difference to children in the local area. WREN is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that benefit local communities.”
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