Funding bid for Malling skate park

AN APPLICATION for funds to build a skate park in the Malling area of Lewes will next month be put to the funding body Sport England.

And, subject to receiving the funding, Lewes District Council will begin work on the project in the spring of 2003.

The plan to develop a skate park in Malling came about as a result of a group of young people meeting at the YMCA two years ago and forming themselves into an action group called SK8.

Officers of the district council and police with the support of MP Norman Baker and council leader Cllr Ann De Vecchi worked with the young people to identify their needs and to find a suitable location.

This included surveys of a number of sites around the town and the detailed design of their ideal skate park.

The final design was costed and formed the basis for the bid that is currently being assembled.

The overall project cost is 85,000 of which 65 per cent or 55,250 is eligible for lottery funding. The balance of nearly 30,000 is currently being secured as match funding.

This is taking time to put in place and includes 10,000 from Lewes District Council, 10,000 from a Home Office grant, with the remaining 10,000 balance being sought from other organisations such as Sussex Police, Lewes Town Council and private sponsorship.

The partnership approach is vital to demonstrate to Sport England widespread support for the project from the local community.

Cllr Liz Lee, cabinet member for community issues said: 'I am very excited about the prospect of a skate park in Lewes. It takes time to put together a good funding application.

'Pulling together all the strands of a funding bid involves a lot of work behind the scenes in consultation, design, costing and supporting evidence. Filling out the application form is the relatively simple part of the process.'