Official Opening of Skatepark

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Sep 2005

The official opening of the city's skatepark took place on Saturday 24th September. It is located at Eldergate within the former bus station

Following extensive consultation with local skaters, the police and many others, the Council decided to build the £100,000 skatepark, funded with "planning gain" monies from central Milton Keynes projects. It is one of the best in the UK, if not the world.

Councillor Douglas McCall, Liberal Democrat cabinet member responsible for the Environment, said: "This facility demonstrates our commitment to listen to the views of young people. I am delighted that this skating facility was designed and constructed with huge input from them. Skaters can use this facility knowing that it is a safe environment in which to have fun. I would like thank all those who have worked hard to make SK8MK a reality."

"I think it's good because it's the start of a new generation of skate plazas, where the unique design blends into the existing architecture. It also brings culture to the city, which is important for a new city like MK," said Sean Smith, a young skater who took part in the design of the skatepark.