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Construction of new Fort William bike and skate park to begin next year

Works on the new Fort William community park will begin next year.
Works on the new Fort William community park will begin next year.

Construction of a new multi-purpose bike and skate park in Fort William will begin next year after donations hit more than £500,000.

Contractors from Velosolutions and Concreate will begin phase one of the works in February to build a new pump track and skate park.

The concept was masterminded by charity Fort William Pumptrack and Skatepark in 2018 in the hopes of providing a recreational ground for enthusiastic riders.

The charity aim to have the park open by May, to coincide with the 2023 World Championships.

In a post on their social media page, the group unveiled the plans for the new community asset.

They wrote: “It’s been a long road but we have been successful in raising £525 000 (yes, over half a million pounds) so far.

Fort William residents have thrown their support behind the project, helping to raise more than £525,000. Picture by Sandy McCook.

“The project has grown a bit from its birth four years ago – from a simple pumptrack to an exciting multi discipline bike and skate park with amazing potential for community use programmes with support from key organisations.”

Grand opening scheduled for next year

A survey conducted by the group found 97% of the Lochaber population found parents would like their children to have access to facilities of this nature.

The project has garnered an outpouring of public support with £525,000 raised to finance the venture.

Around £480,000 will be used to lay the foundations for the park with the remaining £45,000 used to finance lighting and fencing.

Fundraising will continue to cover the maintenance of the park.

The group added: “We are hoping to have the build completed by May 2023 and open to the public by then.

“We are looking to hold a formal opening during the 2023 World Championships, where Nevis Range will host the Downhill Mountain-bike Competition in early August 23.

“This will be a great opportunity to create a buzz around the facility where the worlds best MTB riders and media are in town.”

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