The grand opening of Launceston's indoor skate park 'The Unit Skatepark' took place on Saturday (July 26) and went well seeing over 150 people go through the doors to skate, BMX, blade and scooter.

For years, the extreme sports community in Launceston has needed such a facility and now The Unit Skatepark can be found next door to Eagle Plant hire and opposite Philip Warren butchers in Quarry Crescent on Pennygillam Industrial Estate.

Rev Steve Wild, the Chairman of the District Methodist Church) with the Mayor of Launceston Cllr Paul O'Brien, cut the ribbon and people got on the way trying out the ramps and facilities. The Unit Skatepark boasts over 7,000sq ft of ramps and skate area with other ramps for more experienced skaters, free Wi-Fi in the viewing and parent area and a large pro shop stocking only the best skate gear.

All this is staffed by interns and volunteers. There's even a free night's skating on Tuesdays conditional upon attendance at a short Bible study.

Safety has been a main consideration of the committee of the Launceston Methodist Youth department during the preparations for the planning and construction of the park. The park was opened last weekend with great satisfaction and fun and proved an instant hit with a large number of mainly young people who enjoyed the rollercoaster rides using skates, BMX bikes and rollerblades for hours at a time.

The park is ran as a project of Launceston Area Methodist Circuit and headed up by two energetic and imaginative Youth Workers of the Launceston Circuit, Sam Beazley and Tim Aldridge. Check out the website for more information http://www.skatetheunit.com">www.skatetheunit.com.