The wheels are in motion for the creation of a long-awaited Mearns skate park which could help breed the next generation of extreme sports stars.
The £180,000 facility, which would be constructed in Inverbervie’s William Eddie Park – known locally as West Park – has been on the table for a number of years.
In July 2015, Aberdeenshire Council offered initial backing to the project and it was given formal approval by planning chiefs in July.
Now, the group behind the development, Bervie Skatepark Committee, is looking for funding to help bring the project to fruition.
Concrete Skateparks will construct the amenity, which would have a marine-themed design evoking Bervie’s heritage as a fishing village.
Sandra Stuart, group secretary, stated the facility would be one which provided benefits to the whole community.
She said: “The view that skate parks are only for teenagers – or even just for skating – is no longer true.
“We know, from other skate parks in the region, that they are as popular for bikes and scooters as they are for skateboarding and that they attract a diverse range of users.
“From toddlers on scooters to older teenagers and adult spectators, there are few other leisure facilities that can cater for so many different groups.
“Throughout the planning process, we have tried to keep children and young people as engaged as possible in the design process.
“Research from other projects of this kind suggests the more involved they are, the less there is a likelihood of antisocial behaviour.”
The group is now in the process of exploring different funding options.
