Brentwood News
Brentwood Skate Park cash mission on track
7:20am Wednesday 22nd February 2012
SKATERS and bikers could have somewhere to show off their dirt tricks in time for the summer.
Brentwood Skate Park Association says its campaign to raise £150,000 to rebuild the run-down skate park at King George’s Playing Fields, in Ingrave Road, has been more successful than it ever imagined.
After launching its bid to raise the cash in September, £35,000 is already in the bag. Brentwood’s Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) has pledged £20,000 of funding and £15,000 came from the Big Society Fund.
Hairdresser Rob McGowan, chairman of the association, is also hoping £50,000 earmarked by Brentwood Council for the project, would be agreed at its budget meeting on last night (Tuesday), which would take the total to £85,000.
The association has also raised £2,000 through various fundraisers.
Rob said work would get underway at the site once the £100,000 mark had been reached.
“The third phase will cost £50,000 so we will do the first two then fundraise to do the third,” he said.
“We hope to get something up for the summer holidays - if everything goes to plan that would be the first two phases.”
Rob said the money has been raised much faster than he expected.
He added: “The reaction has been 100 per cent positive from everyone, we’ve only been unsuccessful with one bid so far. So many people use it (the skate park) but it’s so insufficient.
“Anyone that’s willing to give our charity money can’t say no, it’s so obvious Brentwood needs a new skate park.”
www.bspa@live.co.uk