A skate park is set to attract even more thrill-seekers as work starts to extend the much-loved facility.
Enjoyed by thousands of young people each year, the North Tyneside Council-owned skate park on Howdon Lane, North Shields, is being extended.
The new area will cater specifically for BMX riders and more advanced skateboarders.
It was the idea of a group of young people who work with local charity Phoenix Detached Youth Project and made possible thanks to investment from North Tyneside Council and £50,000 of funding from Suez Communities Trust.
Speaking about the project, North Tyneside Council’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr Bruce Pickard said: “We are delighted to be able to enhance and invest in this popular facility for the benefit of the local community.
“I must thank Phoenix Detached Youth Project and the young people it works with – without their ideas, input and enthusiasm this project would not have been possible. I would also like to thank Suez Communities Trust for providing the funding to help us improve the skate park.”
Phoenix Detached Youth Project is a charity that works with 13 to 25-year-old in and around the Meadow Well area. Project manager, Mike Burgess said: “This was a dream of the group after visiting Scotland in 2014 with local BMX Bandits from North Shields, to have our own local challenging BMX Bowl, the Phoenix Bowl.
“The group created a design which was presented to councillors and the Elected Mayor, and worked on bids. Without their commitment and support, as well as North Tyneside Council staff working in partnership with local young people, such an amazing facility would not be possible, or funding from SUEZ Communities Trust
“I am proud of what local young people have achieved with our support, we never gave up hope after four years of work behind the scenes, dreams do come true, and anything is possible.”
A group of young people were on hand at the skate park to mark the start of the work.
Carl, aged 24, who is part of local group BMX Bandits, added: “We started a project four years ago and never thought this would happen. We thought it was just a dream.
“Luke Johnston from the Phoenix Detached Youth Project has continued to believe in us and we can not thank him and the team enough, for keeping us going.
“We can not wait to ride the bowl and support other young people to learn how to ride the bowl, and this is the just start of using an amazing venue to host regular events, this will give young people something exciting and fun to do and will help them take the right path in life.“
Speaking about the funding, Marek Gordon, Chairman of SUEZ Communities Trust added: “SUEZ Communities Trust provides funding awards through the Landfill Communities Fund. This important source of funding has been available since 1997 and has provided such worthy projects with more than £1.4 billion. We were delighted to be able to offer this funding.”
The skate park is currently closed as the extension gets underway and will reopen in the spring.
The work is being carried out by Kier North Tyneside on behalf of the council.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
SUEZ Communities Trust (formerly SITA Trust)
SUEZ Communities Trust is an independent funding body set up in 1997 to provide funding through the Landfill Communities Fund. To date SUEZ Communities Trust has supported more than 3,900 projects to a combined value of over £110 million using tax credits donated by SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK (formerly SITA UK).
SUEZ Communities Trust funds improve vital public recreation facilities such as village halls, community centres, sport, heritage, green spaces and play areas.
For information on how to apply for funding from SUEZ Communities Trust call 01934 524013 or visit www.suezcommunitiestrust.org.uk.