Former pro skater designs town's new sports facility

Construction of a £200,000 wheeled sports facility designed by ex-pro skateboarder Marc Churchill is set to begin.

The site in Lockton Avenue in Heanor, Derbyshire, will be the first of its kind in the town and will allow people to take part in activities such as skateboarding, scootering and BMX.

It will be created by contractor Gravity Engineering, a firm that has created over 300 skateparks around the UK.

Work to build the facility is due to start on Monday.

Mr Churchill, who was part of the BBC's coverage of the skateboarding at the Paris Olympics, is design director at Gravity Engineering.

The project has been funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

John McCabe, cabinet member for communities and street pride portfolio at Amber Valley Borough Council, said: "We are excited to be able to bring to fruition this long-awaited facility.

"We anticipate it will bring people together and help establish better community cohesion and youth engagement.

"The benefits of such a resource are shown to have great health benefits all round.

"A wheeled sports facility in Heanor has been talked about for a number of years so it’s great that we’ll soon see this finally come to fruition."

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