Young people in Norwich are celebrating after learning the city council now had the £300,000 needed for the long-awaited skate park. The facility will now be built at Eaton Park following years of lobbying from skaters - although there was still not firm time frame as to when it would open.

Young people in Norwich were celebrating last night after learning the city council now had the £300,000 needed for the long-awaited skate park.

The facility will now be built at Eaton Park following years of lobbying from skaters - although there was still not firm time frame as to when it would open.

Speaking on the steps of city hall, Steve Morphew, leader of the council, said: “I am delighted to announce to you that we have now got the £300,000, the project is going ahead and although I can't tell you exactly when it will actually open because of the various permissions we have to get, we are hoping it will be finished in time for next summer. We will keep in close touch with the consultation group and make sure you know how things are progressing.”

He paid tribute to the skaters and the consultation group.

“Your polite persistence has impressed everybody and working with you has been a pleasure. So you have earned this result. The city council will provide your promised skate park and I want you to make me two promises in return,” he said.

“I want you to look after the new skate park - to make sure it is not abused or misused and that you work with us to keep it a safe place where all people can go to enjoy themselves.”

A potential space has already been identified near the community centre and floodlit sports ground.

The council has already provided basic skating facilities for young people in five neighbourhood parks, including Eaton.

Although well used, these are essentially starter facilities which do not meet the needs of the wider skateboarding, BMX and inline skating communities - they do not offer a significant challenge nor an opportunity to further develop skills. ?

Norwich City Council plans a national-standard skateboard park, able to accommodate skating demonstrations and events and attract key national-level events to the facility as well as increasing the number of visitors and tourists to Eaton Park and subsequently to other areas of the city.

A skate park consultation group was set up in July 2004, with young people and business representatives from the different disciplines of the skating community.