Ref. 30053-90After 10 years campaigning, youngsters in Swindon are thrilled that at last work has started on their new skatepark

Skateboarders are thrilled that the first park for them to practise their sport in Swindon is finally being built after a decade of waiting.

The site is currently being surfaced for a £50,000 purpose-built facility opposite the Oasis Leisure Centre in North Star, as part of a joint initiative between Swindon Council and Stratton Parish Council.

Ritchie McGarvie, 14, from Nythe, said: "We've been waiting for a skate park for ages and at last we've got one.

"It's brilliant. We have worked really hard for this."

The skateboarding fraternity formed a group, the Swindon Community Skate Project, to campaign for a permanent facility.

But the 10-year battle has been fraught with setbacks. Two years ago Stratton Parish Council bought equipment, including ramps and jumps, with the intention of building the borough's first permanent skate park.

But the plans were shelved after residents protested.

Now Stratton Parish Council has agreed to hand over £35,000-worth of equipment, previously kept in storage, for the North Star site.

Swindon Council is stumping up £15,000 to pay for the surfacing, fencing and signage.

If all goes to plan, the park will open next month, at the start of the half-term school holiday.

Keen skater Luke Boswell, 15, from Stratton St Marg-aret, said: "This is really cool. We've been let down several times, but at last it's actually happening." His friend Anthony Rayner, 14, from Eldene, was equally pleased.

He said: "It's such good news. I'm looking forward to spending the school holidays here."

Coun Justin Tomlinson (Con, Abbey Meads), the council's lead member for cultural services and recreation, has been backing the campaign.

He said: "This is a great success story. The park will be open in daylight and owned by the skaters."

Skateboarders will be able to make use of the caf and toilet facilities at the Oasis Leisure Centre.

Coun Tomlinson said: "The facility has already been paid for, so won't cost tax payers an extra penny. It represents brilliant value for money."

Swindon Council intends to apply to a national grants programme, called Active England, for funding to pay for floodlighting at the park so it can open after school during the winter months.

Victoria Tagg