The provision of a state of the art Skate Park in Longford has taken a major step forward.
Plans for the skatepark at the former Longford Greyhound Track in the town are at an advanced stage with the design work now complete.
Contracts for the construction of the amenity were signed last week, with work expected to begin before year's end.
A campaign has been fought for the park for over ten years, led by local skaters, youth groups and Councillors, with Government funding of over €400,000 euro secured for the project earlier this year.
Treasurer of the Longford Skate Park Committee, Daniel Keogh, says that the park has been designed with input from local skaters:
After the amount of effort we had put in, we wanted it to be put through properly and not just have it a symbol of something of that was done.
With skate boarding becoming an Olympic Sport it really had to be something where people can develop a skill.
From the very start we've had meetings where we interviewed people around through the skater community about what they wanted locally and what they wanted as part of the skate park.
I can remember our original designs and the thoughts we had, and they are actually very close to what came to fruition.
