GARSTANG youngsters have spent the week putting the new Young People’s Place in Windsor Road through its paces.

They were finally let loose on the facility, which cost more than £70,000, last Saturday morning 28/2/04. A spokesman for Wyre Community Safety Partnership (WCSP), which led the effort to get it built, applauded the dedication of all who had worked on the project.

“The project has been a valuable learning experience and a highly successful demonstration of how WCSP, young people and other organisations have worked together,” they said.

Alan Shaw, the landscape architect commissioned by WCSP to design and oversee construction of the skatepark, praised the youngsters who got involved. Eight or nine meetings were held with local youths at the Lancashire Youth and Community Service Centre, and it was from these that the design of the skatepark took shape. “Right from the start we were working with young people to find out exactly what they wanted,” said Alan. “There was a group of young lads, although girls were involved too, to a lesser extent, who have seen this whole process through. They all deserve commendation.” Wyre Borough councillor Tom Balmain said he hoped young people would be responsible. “A lot of thought and effort has gone into giving them what they wanted,” he said.

“I hope they use it sensibly.” A group made up of local people, youth workers, and representatives from the police, council and WCSP will monitor the facility to identify any teething problems. An official launch is planned for Easter, by which time young people who use the facility will have chosen a name for it.