Good things come to those who skate

ARUNDEL skaters had cause for celebration at the weekend when the town s first skatepark officially opened.

Arundel Skatepark sprang into action on Saturday with a demonstration of skateboading, in-line skating and BMX tricks of the trade by young people from Arundel and the surrounding area.

The project, a partnership between Arun District Council and Arundel Town Council, is in reply to many years of lobbying by the young skateboarders of Arundel.

And, after a long and painstaking search for a possible site, the recreation ground in Canada Road was finally agreed on two years ago.

The new park consists of two ramps, a fun box and slide rail.

The opening ceremony was performed by Councillor Jacqui Maconachie, chairman of Arun District Council, and the Mayor and Mayoress of Arundel, Councillor Don Ayling and Elspeth McCreadie.

The mayor said: "Here is a true example of councils working together in partnership to achieve the end-product, and surely there is a good lesson here and a way forward for the future."

Addressing the young people who had gathered for the opening ceremony, he said: "This is a fine example of how enthusiasm becomes fact.

"If you want something badly enough, keep at it, and it will become a reality.

"Well done and we hope that you get many years enjoyment out of the councils efforts."