Work finally starts on Elgin skatepark

First turf cut after project got the go-ahead last month

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UNDER WAY AT LAST: Ally Mackenzie, front, and Calum Stewart, of the Moray Wheels Project. Gordon Lennox

THE first turf was cut yesterday to mark the start of construction of a Moray skatepark.

The long-awaited Elgin skatepark has been on the drawing board for more than 12 years and has finally begun after the plans were approved by Moray Council last month following campaigns by members of the Moray Wheels Project group.

The £153,000 park will have a similar range of ramps and jumps to the recently opened Buckie skatepark and have areas suitable for skateboards, inline skates and BMX bikes. It is due to be completed in February.

To fund the construction the Moray Wheels Project has raised £18,000 and received grants of £40,000 from the Big Lottery’s Young People’s Fund and £25,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The remaining money came from Moray Council.

Moray Wheels Project was originally set up in 2001 by Mike MacWatt and he has been campaigning for the park for 12 years.

He said: “There’s a big sense of satisfaction that it’s starting, especially after the efforts of those involved and the help we have had from the council and local people. It’s going to be good for the kids as well as the town.”

The ceremony was also attended by Moray Council project officer Alison Hannan, Highland and Islands Enterprise representative Stephanie O'Connell and Moray Wheels Project vice-chairman Calum Stewart.