Have your say on skate park plans

CONSULTATIONS are set to be held next month as plans for a facility for skateboarders and BMX bikers in Lowestoft gather pace.

A series of consultation events are to be held to discuss the �200,000 plan for Normanston Park.

Locals are being encouraged to 'get on board' and attend the events to view and vote on preferred designs for the new Skate/BMX park.

'The consultation events are to display all submitted design proposals from short-listed companies, based on the skateboard and BMX group's needs and aspirations, to allow the wider local community to vote on their preferred designs,' a Waveney District Council spokesman said.

'Votes for preferred designs will be collated and scored, to be included as the main contributing factor for design within the tender evaluations for design and build of the North Lowestoft Skate/BMX Park.'

Last month, The Journal revealed that the Waveney Play Partnership and North Lowestoft Skate/BMX Group (NLSBG) had received a �30,000 donation from Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN) to support their project to build the concrete facility.

These events will be held at Lowestoft Library on February 7 from 10am to 12.30pm, Benjamin Britten High School on February 10 from 4pm to 6.30pm and at Colville House Youth club on February 11 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

And by holding the consultation events next month, this is another significant step forward, with the North Lowestoft Skate Park User group set to meet next Tuesday.

Here the short-listed companies to design/build the Skate/BMX Park and suggestions to vote upon for the group's new name and logo will be discussed.

Among those already mooted are LSP - Lowestoft Skate Plaza, Hole in the Park and E.A.S.T - Extreme Adrenaline Sports Together.

For further information about the park telephone Chris Ames, the council's play co-ordinator, on 01502 523391 or e-mail chris.ames@waveney.gov.uk