WORK is to begin on Cowdenbeath’s much anticipated new skate park.

Councillors recently met on site with skaters, designers and the contractor to mark the milestone with a sod cutting.

Councillor Linda Erskine, convener of the Cowdenbeath Area Committee explained: “This new skate park is part of a wider programme of new or upgraded skate park facilities in the local area.

"New skate parks in Cardenden, Benarty and Kelty are already completed and proving popular with local youngsters. We’re due to put the Lochgelly skate park project out to tender soon as well.

“Cowdenbeath’s new skate park will be the largest in the area and is set to be one of the best in Fife.

"The local community has been very involved in helping to shape the designs and we’re particularly thankful to St Bride’s Primary School and local youth groups together with the area’s skateboard and BMX fraternity for their valuable input.”

Convener of the Community and Housing Services Committee, Cllr Judy Hamilton, added: “The scale of this skate park is particularly impressive, as is the energy and enthusiasm from local skaters and the wider community who have designed something that they can be very proud of.

“It’s important that we continue to tackle health inequalities and improving sport and physical activity opportunities in local communities across Fife is one way we are delivering on that. The new parks have been very popular with lots of positive feedback from skaters and we look forward to Cowdenbeath’s new skate park being the jewel in that crown.”

The skate park has been funded by the Cowdenbeath Area Committee local community planning budget and Section 75 funding from the Leuchatsbeath house building development. Work will begin in early September and will take around 20 weeks to complete, weather permitting.

Our picture shows, from left to right Iain Young, of Concreate (contractor); Cllr Darren Watt; Mike Kilbank, Property Services; Robbie Mullen, Property Services; Cllr Linda Erskine, Cllr Alex Campbell, Cllr Alistair Bain, Cllr Judy Hamilton, Cllr.Gary Guichan and pupils from St Bride’s Primary School.