David Joy, Director of Derbyshire Sport, will officially open a £79,000 skate park in Tideswell on Saturday 30 July. Throughout the day there will be a barbeque and free taster sessions for football, cricket, archery and tennis, supervised by qualified coaches.

The skate park is an exciting new addition to the existing multi use sports facility, which also includes two floodlit multi use games area, a full size, floodlit, football pitch, a junior football pitch, cricket pitch and practice nets, a bowls green and pavilion and a main pavilion with changing facilities and a snooker table.

The skate park has been made possible due to funding of £70,500 received from the Sport England/Big Lottery fund, and contributions from Derbyshire Dales District Council, the Safer Derbyshire Dales Community Safety Partnership, Tideswell Community Association and Tideswell Parish Council.

In the Tideswell Village Plan, drawn up in 2004, the need for facilities for young people was identified. Also in 2004, Safer Communities Through Sport organised a ‘Taster Day’ and invited all the young people to attend to try out different sports. The mobile skate park was a huge hit and the young people agreed that they wanted a permanent skate park in Tideswell.

Wayne Allsopp, Sports Development Officer for Derbyshire Dales District Council said: “The young people in Tideswell formed a skate group and have designed this skate park. It is a fantastic facility that everyone can be proud of. We are also very grateful to Sport England/Big Lottery Fund for providing funding to employ a part time Youth Engagement Officer to promote the skate park and sports facility and to encourage people to use it.”

Mrs Muriel Wiltshaw, Tideswell resident and Chair of Safer Derbyshire Dales Community Safety Panel said: “I am delighted with the new skate park, which provides a much-needed facility for young people in Tideswell. It has been achieved through the hard work and co-operation of a number of agencies, and it is wonderful to see the so many agencies and individuals working together to achieve a very worthwhile result. This skate park is a credit to everyone concerned.”

Councillor Lewis Rose OBE, Chair of the Safer Derbyshire Dales Community Safety Partnership said: “Tideswell is a priority area for the Community Safety Partnership to reduce anti-social behaviour and we have already provided many diversionary activities for young people including the re-furbished Youth Club, with a snooker table and games, and a computer for the Library drop-in centre. The skate park will add the finishing touches to this and will ensure young people can enjoy a wide range of activities in their own community.”

Inspector Bryan Hall, Derbyshire Constabulary, said: “When young people are encouraged to become involved in their community they can make a valuable contribution. The local community groups in Tideswell have invested time in the youth of the area and have helped foster community spirit across the generations. This is a great example of how people of all ages can work together for a safer, better community."