Skate park improvements a step nearer

Thursday, 26 August 2010

From Calderdale Council

Calderdale councillors have agreed to a proposal which could see skateboarders in the Calder Valley enjoying bigger and better challenges. Members of Calderdale Council's Cabinet have agreed to a proposal which means that Hebden Royd Council will be able to go ahead with a bid to fund an extension of the skate park in Calder Holmes Park, Hebden Bridge.

Cabinet agreed that Calderdale Council will lease the skate park to Hebden Royd Council for 15 years at no cost, if the latter organisation is successful in its funding bid. Without agreement, the bid could not have gone ahead.

Calderdale Council Leader, Cllr Janet Battye, says she is pleased that Cabinet has taken the decision to work with Hebden Royd Town Council to improve the facility.

"These are difficult times for the Council and we need to be looking at imaginative ways of working with partner to maintain and improve facilities for the people of Calderdale.

"This is one such example, where the skate park can be improved at no cost to Calderdale Council.

"Young people in Hebden Bridge have played a big part in designing the extension and applying for the funding so it's important that Calderdale Council does its bit to support them."

"Without the agreement of Calderdale Council, the bid from Hebden Royd Town Council could never have gone ahead. I am really pleased that we are able to move the project another step forward.

The Council-owned skate park has proved really popular with local young people since it was opened some six years ago. . . so much so that skateboarders, stunt bikers and in-line skaters have to queue at busy times. Experienced skaters are also becoming frustrated because they now need fresh challenges.