Action at the Phobia skatepark, which is now open for business in Fordingbridge recreation ground. DA6121P04SKATERS in Fordingbridge are riding high after their new state-of-the-art skatepark is finally opened.

The Phobia Skatepark, in the recreation ground, was opened last Thursday following a safety inspection and marks the end of the £85,000 project, which has seen all parts of the community working together.

It is the culmination of 18-months' hard work led by town councillor Steve Bailey, who organised applications for grants and liaised tirelessly with local children to agree a design. The idea to replace the out-of-date facilities started with a few sketches on a blank sheet of paper and it was left to the young people of the town to come up with a plan under the careful guidance of Mr Bailey.

Steve Bailey said: "It is just what the kids wanted, I think we only made two changes to the original design.

"I just hope now that they respect what they have and share it with everybody."

Rollerblader, Jim Lampard (16), along with a group of friends, was a key part of the Phobia Skate Crew, which was formed at the start of the project.

He attended all the meetings at the town hall and watched as the group's ideas developed.

"Two or three months ago we had almost nothing and now we have a large and really great skatepark," he said.

"It's a million times better than the old one."

David Yearley, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, who carried out a final inspection, described the park as "an above average facility" for the size of the town.

He said: "What we have got is an excellent facility that is a real asset to the community.

"The people putting it in place have also taken measures to ensure it is not a nuisance to anybody."

Biking action at the skatepark. DA6121P10The new ramps and thumb boxes have been treated with soundproofing foam, following a request made by New Forest District Council, after noise complaints plagued Lymington's skatepark.

Inspectors are due to carry out sound checks in the next few weeks, but project organisers are confident there will not be a problem.

Chairman of NFDC Mike Shand said he hoped people would be tolerant of the new facility.

"There will always be some sort of inconvenience to somebody who lives near by, but this is such a great benefit to our community," he said.

"There will be a lot of young people here in the first instance and people may hear a new noise, but it will settle," he added.

Poole based company GBH Engineering has worked with the Phobia Skate Crew since February 2003, to help make the skaters' dream become a reality.

Manager of GBH Sue Mitchener said the finished result was a credit to all involved.

She said: "Our in house graphics team turned the skaters' ideas into a concept visual which was then fine tuned during a series of consultation meetings, while funding applications and fundraising activities took place.

"The end result is a showcase park which Fordingbridge can be proud of."

MD of GBH Greg Howe matched the skaters' early funding sum of £2000, with other grants and donations coming from Hampshire County Council, Living Spaces, New Forest district council and others.

Sandy Balls stepped in with a half-pipe ramp to help in the interim until the new park was finished - making it a real community effort.

Hampshire county councillor Kathy Heron, whose remarks echoed those of everyone connected with the project, said: "Steve Bailey has been the real worker behind all this.

"Money or no money it would not have happened without him."

The official opening of the skatepark will take place at the end of the month. Organisers would welcome involvement from local people.