A new skate park is taking shape behind a north Norfolk swimming pool and fitness centre, as part of a £10.7 million project to build a state-of-the art leisure facility.
The £150,000, wave-shaped park at the back of Splash, Sheringham, will be around a third larger than its predecessor, which was demolished last week to make way for the new centre.
It is being built by North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) with funding from Sport England as part of a project to replace Splash with a new centre featuring a 25 metre pool, a learner pool with moveable floor, a gym, a café, studios, community rooms and a children's splash pad.
Splash, which was opened 30 years ago by Diana, Princess of Wales, will remain open until the new centre is completed in 2020.
The Strip skate park, which, in the spring and summer months, was regularly used by up to 300 children and young people, was built four years ago as a result of a fundraising campaign launched by skaters and parents to replace rotting wooden ramps with a purpose-built concrete park.
Dad-of-two Rob Sayles, who has been involved with the skate park for more than ten years, said his fellow committee members had worked with NNDC to organise a series of open evenings, at which parents and young people were given a chance to put forward their ideas on The Strip's replacement.
'Because they were involved in the design process, the plans have been really well-received by the people who will be using the park,' Mr Sayles said.
'We have ended up with a bigger plot of land, which has allowed us to have more space between the features and overcome some of the drawbacks of the previous park, and, as well as keeping some of the core challenges for skaters, we've stretched the wave concept out to accommodate BMX and scooter riders.'
Mr Sayles said the new park, which is due to be completed in around six weeks' time, would bring a host of benefits to the town, including social opportunities for youngsters.
He added: 'There is an idea that a lot of young people are out to cause trouble, but there is a real sense of ownership with the skate park and I think that if you give young people something to do and empower them, then they do look after things.'
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