Wheels in motion for much anticipated new skate park

Work is to begin on a new skate park in Lochgelly.

Local pupils and councillors marked the milestone with a sod cutting ceremony.

Councillor Linda Erskine, convener of Cowdenbeath area committee, said: “Providing new or upgraded skate park facilities has been a priority for a number of years and it’s great to see the project delivering.

“New skate parks in Cardenden, Benarty and Kelty have been completed for some time and Cowdenbeath’s much anticipated new skate park is also under construction.

“Work beginning in Lochgelly Public Park marks the last of the area’s five new skate parks and this will complement the multi-use games area built last year.

“We’re grateful to the children and staff of Lochgelly West and South schools to help us mark the occasion.”

The concrete skate park will be floodlit and, weather permitting, is expected to be finished by the end of the year.

Councillor Judy Hamilton, convener of the community and housing services committee, said a huge amount of work had gone on in the community to get to this point.

“There are big differences in the levels of health and well-being across Fife’s communities,” she said.

“We’re tackling that in a number of ways and providing safe outdoor spaces for people to access free sporting activities is a good example of how removing the barriers to physical activity can help to reduce health inequalities in the long term.

“The enthusiasm from skaters and local groups to help deliver solutions that are supported by them is much appreciated.”