A group determined to renovate a north-east skatepark has set themselves the ambitious target of raising £20,000 – and need more volunteers to help.
The skatepark in Fraserburgh consists of concrete ramps on a tarmac base with flat banks, quarter pipes and funboxes.
Locals want to breathe some new life into it to ensure it is used more often, and have formed a group to get the project going.
Funding applications are now being filled out and a permanent committee will be appointed at an annual meeting next month.
A meeting at the end of September drew together interested individuals, who have thrown themselves into the idea with gusto.
Acting treasurer Anneka Niro said the site is left relatively unused and isn’t inspiring to youngsters.
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She said: “I’m a mum with two young children and my husband used to BMX for years but the local facility is in a dire state and a lot of people gave up because there was no where decent to do it.
“We want to see a facility for the younger generation so they have the chance to take up these sports.
“Our new committee are bringing a new approach to the concrete skate park plans – at the AGM we will officially appoint people, begin fundraising as much as we can and we’re aiming to get a park completed in two to three years.
“It’s an important thing for people around here and there have been attempts before but now we have the right people involved to get things started.
“To fundraise the £20,000 we need, we’re hoping to host a gig with local bands and participate in bags for life.”
Interested locals were originally brought together by Councillor Doreen Mair over the summer after she was hounded with questions about the current, run-down skate park while she was canvasing.
Acting as facilitator for the group, Ms Mair said: “People keep asking ‘what is the possibility of a new skate park in Fraserburgh?’
“The problem is that the council doesn’t have the money for something like this at the moment so we’re having this meeting to say to people ‘if you really want this skate park it really is up to you’.
“This project could definitely become reality if they get a positive, dedicate committee sorted.”
The Broch Skate Club is holding an annual meeting on November 8 at 6.30pm upstairs in the Balaclava Bar Fraserburgh.
Members of the public are invited to attend to be informed on everything going on.
