IT'S all systems go for the city's skate-boarders!

A grant of £50,000 will turn Lancaster's Green Ayre site into a skateboarding paradise complete with ramps, pipes and rails.

Local skateboarders say it's the best news they've ever had and discussions are now taking place to ensure the facilities are built to the best possible design.

If all goes to plan, the new skate park could be completed and open for use in spring this year.

"It's the best news! Unbelievable," says Andy Curwen, owner of Blue Tubes skate shop.

"We've wanted some-thing like this for years. What's important now is that the riders are involved in the design. That way it's sure to be popular and well used.

"Green Ayre is a good spot because it's accessible yet well away from houses. All the local riders will be buzzing when they hear of this."

The new funding will come from Lancaster's "Sin-gle Regeneration Budget," which has been set up to create jobs and regene-rate communities in the city.

The skate park will include a number of features such as steel skinned ramps, pyramids, fun-boxes, pipes, slide and grinding rails.

These will be placed on a smooth hard standing surface with a fence to enclose the whole skating area.

"The new skateboard park will provide a badly needed facility for young people and I am delighted that the SRB Partnership has been able to step in and help make it a reality" says Ruth Henig, chair of the regeneration partnership.

"Giving young people a central, well equipped place to skate will allow them to develop skills and enjoy themselves without causing the kind of conflict and damage that can occur in other public places. It will also help reduce anti-social behaviour and help meet many of the objectives of the SRB programme itself."

February 5, 2003 15:00