A NUMBER of Delabole residents have set up a new group to try and raise enough money for a new skate park to be installed in the village.

‘Get Delabole a Skate Park’ has been set up by locals after the previous BMX track in the village playing fields was taken down after it became unsafe.

Despite looking into costs, St Teath Parish Council realised that the cost involved of removing the existing track and putting in a new one wasn’t feasible.

Since then, in a bid to make the area look more attractive and serve a purpose, the parish council has decided that the idea of a wild flower garden, which can be used by the local primary school is a better option while other avenues are explored.

However, locals want a skate park to keep their children occupied.

The group said in a statement: “Get Delabole a Skate Park would like a skate park in the playing fields to replace the old BMX dirt track that has been removed.

“The parish council has suggested a wild flower garden. But we believe a skatepark would be more beneficial to the children in our village.

“Most of the surrounding villages have a skatepark, which enables children of all ages to use their bikes, scooters and skateboards, stay off their computers and enabling them to do what they enjoy in the safety of the park and off the roads and pavements.

“We have now set up a Facebook page ‘Get Delabole a Skate Park’ and are looking into forming a committee. We are also looking into costs and grants for funding if needed and will be attending next month’s parish council meeting in the village.

“We want to hear from as many people as we can to give us support.”

In response to the group, parish council chairman, Alan Woollard, hopes they can work together, but doubts the validity of a skate park in that particular area of the playing fields.

Cllr Woollard said: “There are too many trees around there and the ground is extremely rough which was part of the problem with the build of the BMX track in the first place. To be honest we haven’t even been formally approached yet by anyone about it although I did hear about people posing for photos at the site.

“We’re not against the idea at all, in fact we welcome it and would probably support if we could.

“However, a few years ago we did some research into the pricing of a skate park and it costs a lot of money, probably tens of thousands of pounds and we don’t have that sort of money.

“However, in St Teath, people raised an incredible amount of money for the new play area equipment and there’s no reason why people here can’t do the same.”

At the moment there are plans for a wild flower garden to replace the BMX track, although Cllr Woollard admits it is only a temporary measure and if a better idea is thought of, then they will consider it.

“When the BMX track was there it was a serious risk as it became unsafe. For around £1,000 we can topsoil out the area and plant the seeds to produce a nice area for people and the school to use.

“However I’m sure it’s not something that’s going to stay there forever.”

For further informtion on the skate park group and an update of its plans, visit ‘Get Delabole a Skate Park’ on Facebook.