Dorchester skate park ready by February

Following years of fundraising by young people in Dorchester, building work on a permanent skate park has officially begun.

Local skate park specialist, Maverick, has been commissioned to design and build the town’s first state-of-the-art spray concrete facility.

The project is set to cost around £190,000. It will be positioned at the triangular site at Little Fairfield, opposite Dorchester police station.

The Dorchester Skate Park Committee has spent many years working on getting the green light for the permanent facility. The majority of the committee are young skater enthusiasts aged between 10 and 22 years old. They’ve led the fight for funding, along with former editor of BMX magazine Ride, Mark Noble.

With the support from Safer Neighbourhood Team officers at Dorchester Police, West Dorset District Council, Dorchester Town Council and members from Dorset Community Action, the committee has raised approximately £40,000 towards the cost.  £67,000 of the £ 72,000 funding from the district council came from the Big Lottery Fund award for West Dorset.  Another £72,000 was awarded by Dorchester Town Council. Also £20,000 has been provided by the Dorset Youth Opportunity/Capital Fund.

The local skaters and riders of Dorchester worked together with Maverick on the conceptual ideas for the park, and the facility has been specially designed to make use of the space at Little Fairfield and suit both beginners as well as the more advanced skaters.

The Mayor of Dorchester, Kate Hebditch said: “I’m delighted that the new skate park will soon be open – it’s a thousand times better than the temporary one. Now young people will really be able to show off their skills, and there will be much more space for beginners and experts to enjoy.

“Thank you to everyone who has given up their time to be involved with the project.”

The skate park is expected to be completed and ready for use in February 2009.