A REGENERATION of playing fields in Bridport is in the works and would include a new skate park, play area and an events stage.
Plans are in place for a revamp of Plottingham Playing Fields - with those behind the plans wanting to provide an area which can be used by 'people of all ages'.
Bridport Town Council is looking at options to revive the area, with plans also including a cycle route and the installation of six solar car ports - to generate electricity - in the Plottingham car park.
The council is working with Poole-based skate park construction company, Maverick, to deliver a new and improved park.
Daryl Chambers, town surveyor, said: "We’ve had the idea for the revamped skatepark for many years now.
"It’s a dark, unattractive area in the evenings – we've had anti-social problems down there and all sorts of issues. If you can build a facility which is well used by families and people of all ages then you design the problem away.
"We want to create a skate park which young people want to go to and use. We know from previous studies that a revamp is very much wanted in the area and it is about time this is done.
"We are looking to completely replace the current infrastructure with a brand new concrete design. We have partnered with Maverick who have come up with the concept."
He added: "We are working with Crowdfunder and have some private funding in place too. We are also looking to target local businesses, groups and associations to get involved with the project."
With the concepts drawn up, the next stage in the project is to run an online consultation - which has just been launched.
Mr Chambers says they are looking to target skateboarders and scooter riders, to seek their opinions on designs and what they would like to see at the park.
The design for the park has a concrete base - as opposed to the current construction of wood and metal - and features a number of quarter pipes, three 360 degree rollovers and a grind rail.
The area will also be lit up at night with LED lighting.
Whilst the initial focus will be the skate park - the project is planned to expand into the rest of the Plottingham Fields area in the near future.
Mr Chambers said: "Longer term, the idea is to upgrade the whole area. That's the next project we want to push forward, quite a big revamp of the area.
"We will also be running a consultation on the play area to find out people's wants and issues in relation to that, we want to have solar ports in the car park, cycle routes and an events stage which can be used for all the local groups' fundraising events.
"For now our focus is on the skate park and making that a reality. Once that is in motion we will move on to the revamp of the rest of the area."
Residents are encouraged to share their views and opinions on the skate park and the online consultation - which can be found at www.bridportandwestbay.co.uk/2021/03/31/bridport-skatepark-design-vision/
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