'One of the best skateparks in the area' will soon be open in Sidmouth.

Work began on the new facility at Manstone Recreation Field in September, and is due to be finished by the end of this week – when the skatepark will be available for use by skaters, BMX bikers and scooters.

The contractors, Maverick, have demolished the old ramps and surfacing and replaced them with a cutting-edge sprayed concrete skatepark, incorporating designs put forward by the local wheeled sports community and users of the old facility.

It's been one of the biggest projects ever undertaken by Sidmouth Town Council, who paid two thirds of the cost – the rest came from developer contributions collected by East Devon District Council. The council is delighted with the almost-finished product, with a spokesman saying: "The resulting design and build quality make it one of the best skateparks in the area."

Councillors visit the skatepark as it nears completion

On Wednesday, December 9, the town council's chairman Cllr Ian Barlow and the chair of the Youth Provision Working Group, Louise Cole, met members of the Maverick team at the site.

Cllr Cole said: "Children and young people in Sidmouth have been involved in the design process, taking account of what they wanted to feature in the new skate park to make it the best it could be.

"I know it is eagerly awaited and will be well used.

"It's a really high-quality facility for young people to develop their skills and have fun.

"It's really important that there are spaces for positive activities which enable young people to be active and social. I think it will be quite the envy of other towns and after such a tough year, will be a welcome boost to our young people and their sense of place in our community."

Skatepark will have LED safetylighting

Next year the skatepark will be equipped with environmentally-friendly LED lighting so that it can be used on dark winter evenings, with the lights staying on until 8pm. On Monday, December 7, town councillors rubber-stamped the funding for the lights, with Cllr Cole saying: "It's a no-brainer to have the lighting there."

Cllr Barlow agreed: "The lights will increase the use of the skatepark and make it safer and more accessible."

The meeting also heard that the lights would be designed so as not to intrude on nearby homes, being lower in height and much less bright than the floodlights used on sports pitches. The new surface also creates much less noise than the old facility.

While Covid-19 restrictions mean it won't be possible to hold an official opening ceremony at the skatepark, the town council is planning a big celebration event next year. The Skater Jam will take place in the summer or autumn of 2021 and will feature displays by celebrity skaters and cyclists, along with live music and entertainment. Further details will be released at a later stage.