Keep Rolling

DETERMINED skateboarders battling for their own facilities in Preston are appealing for the local community to get on board.

Members of Preston Skatepark Project fear that Preston City Council has forgotten about their bid to build a massive venue for the skateboarders to practice.

Despite being promised a £400,000 dream park in 2006 the group, who represent 600 of the city’s skaters, claim they have not been contacted since.

Youngsters using the Peace Gardens and the Workers Memorial in Preston city centre to practice tricks are still a problem for shoppers and businesses.

Fill Jackson, who started the group in 2000 said they have spent £5,000 of their own money with nothing to show for it.

He said: “We’re sat in here with kids coming in and we don’t know what to say when they ask ‘where’s the skate park?’

“It’s heartbreaking when they’ve got a big smile on their face because they’ve just bought their new skateboard then they have not got anywhere to go.

“If two pieces of wood can make 50 or 60 people happy then come on council – get your finger out.”

Chris Davison, the owner of Scene skateboard shop, in Friargate added: “My only fear is that people will loose hope. They’re just getting so tired.

“There are other things rather than traditional sports like football and rugby that people want to do so why not show people that?

“Skateboarding would be an activity that the community could get involved with.”

A £20,000 ramp was built in Ribbleton two years ago, but skaters have complained that it is unsafe and too far away from the town centre.

Plans to build a facility on London Road were rejected after noise concerns from residents. The site later became a BMX track.

Jimmy Khan, Head of Sport and Recreation at Preston City Council said: “We very much want to keep this project alive.

“It’s very high on our agenda because we know what the feeling is amongst young people.”

Mr Khan said he wanted to build a facility that would attract skateboarders to the city. He added: “Money is so tight at the moment with budget cuts it’s very difficult to come up with any funding for an all singing all dancing skate park.

“I can appreciate it if there feeling left out in the cold. I’m more than happy to sit down and talk and bring them up to speed.”

Town centre ward Respect councillor Michael Lavalette supports the skatepark plans. He said: “I couldn’t skateboard to save my life, but I’m all in favour of this.

“One of the key questions is where it’s going to be situated. Most people want it in a central location but councillors seem to want it as far away as possible. In general terms I think it should be in as central location as possible.”

By Ricki Dewsbury