SKATEBOARDERS, BMX riders and rollerbladers are getting to grips with a skatepark two years in the making in Exeter.
After many months of planning and design the new skatepark at Flowerpot Playing Fields has finally opened.
The long-awaited new facility created by Exeter City Council took three months to build but judging by the initial reaction it has been worth the wait.
It replaces the original Flowerpot Chill Zone Skatepark, first installed in 2002.
Although the Chill Zone proved popular, it had reached the end of its life and many of the timber-framed ramps were rotting. The new skatepark is a concrete surface and is one of the leading facilities of its kind in the region.
A council spokesman said: "There are some extremely challenging elements to the new skatepark, and although it is also designed to cater for beginners, it has been decided that an age limit is required to ensure the safety of those taking part. Therefore, no children under the age of nine years will be allowed to use the facility, but there are four other existing skate facilities in Exeter that everybody can use."
The new skatepark was designed in conjunction with a working group put together with the help of city skate shop The Boarding House.
Council Leader Pete Edwards said: "This is a flagship project for Exeter City Council.
"It was obvious to see how popular the original skatepark was and we realised the importance of providing good, free recreational facilities for local children, teenagers and young adults to enjoy.
"Instead of continuously repairing timber ramps, we decided to go for a really durable surface option that should be relatively maintenance free for as long as 40 years."
It will be officially opened by MP Ben Bradshaw at 1.30pm on Saturday, September 28.
