A NEW state-of-the-art £220,000 skate park has opened on Dovercourt seafront in time for Christmas.

The skate park in Lower Marine Parade has opened for the first time today.

It comes after a seven-year battle for funding to replace the old rundown facility, which was built in 2002 and had no upgrades since then apart from new floodlights.

A group of skaters appealed to the council to refurbish the site, which they claimed was dangerous in the winter or when the metal ramps become slippery after it rained.

Harwich Town Council was granted planning permission for a major overhaul on the existing skate park site last August but it took months to get all the funding needed.

The new park has been built by Maverick Industries on the same site, next to Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles, with hopes it will be a new top attraction for the town’s seafront.

The state-of-the art facility has been designed for skateboarders, in-liners, BMX and scooter riders.

It’s top features include an open bowl, driveway and street section and because it’s made of spray concrete, the facility can be used all year round.

Jo Henderson, chairman of Harwich Town Council’s skate park working party, said the new park is a facility the whole community can be proud of.

“It is free for all to use and I am sure hundreds of youngsters will benefit from this scheme which has come about due to a real team effort,” she added.

“The town council came up with £100,000 but many others contributed and helped make our dream come true.

“I am very grateful to every single one of them for supporting this project for our young people.”

Work started on pulling down the old park and building the new structure in September.

Funding for the new park also included £50,000 came from Sport England, £35,000 from developer’s contributions, £15,000 from Essex County Council’s community initiatives fund, £12,500 from Tendring Council’s big society fund, £8,000 from the Police and Fire Crime Commissioner and £2,000 from Tesco Bags of Help.

An official launch of the new skate park, which is the town council’s biggest ever financial project, is being planned for April 14, 2018 with further details to be announced in the New Year.