A contract worth £200,000 is currently out to invite tenders to create the design and scope for a new wheeled sports park in Inverness.
The plans, proposed by Inshes Community Association (ICA), will be the first of their kind for youngsters with scooters as at present they are unable to use any of the other skate parks in the city due to the damage they cause to surfaces.
The new facility, which will also be open to those using bikes, skateboards and roller skates, will be created with a reinforced material to prevent concrete from breaking up.
The idea for the new community facility came after a feasibility study was carried out in 2017 which identified that after public toilets, the next favoured option was a new wheeled sports park.
Planning permission has already been cleared on the site with funding to be sought to bring the project to fruition.
Alan Jones, project manager of the new wheel park, said the milestone is simply “getting the ball rolling” and allowing ICA to secure grants to fund the project.
Mr Jones said: “We are a fair bit away from shovels going into the ground.
“We don’t have the funding and that is the critical thing.
“We need to advertise and get tenders in so we can see what the market is providing in terms of the best price available. Only then can we go and start applying for funding.
“The good thing is we have full planning permission that has been secured.
“It’s been fairly positive but there have been a number of factors that have made us pause and think.”
Mr Jones added: “We had an open meeting on December 2 and we had a good representation from the wider community come along, including three skateboarders who are fairly young and enthusiastic, and they have now put in train creating Inverness Skateboarding Club.
“Whilst Inshes Community Association are the vehicle for taking it forward, once it is up and running it will be a younger demographic who will be in charge of the day to day operating of it.
“We are responding to what the community said they wanted out of a whole list of things from wildflower meadows to natural play, multi-use game areas.
“We are absolutely looking forward and are extremely keen to see the creation of this new wheeled sports club and wheeled sports park to benefit the community.”
