Talks 'positive' over Highwoods 'skate park' (From Gazette)

Talks 'positive' over Highwoods 'skate park'

12:00pm Friday 14th September 2012 in News

MEETINGS are continuing to take place as councillors try to reach agreement to build a state-of-the-art skate park in Highwoods Country Park.

Representatives from Highwoods and St John’s have met with Colchester Council’s recreation team after an agreement was reached for money set aside for a playground in St John’s to be used to fund the country park project.

The proposed scheme would be called a ‘wheeled sports park’.

Gerard Oxford, borough councillor for Highwoods, said: “Things are looking very positive.

“I hope to have a timescale to work with soon but we still need to get over the initial hurdle of funding, but I’m positive.”

The £140,000 scheme, which will be funded by £65,000 worth of developers’ contributions set aside to be used for leisure in Highwoods, and £40,000 which been earmarked for a playground, off St John’s Close.

A further £35,000 will be needed, which Mr Oxford believes could be taken from borough-wide developers’ section 106 money because the park is so widely used.