A DESIGN for Bolton’s new town centre skate park has been unveiled.

The proposed design has been created by designers Freestyle Skateparks with the help of young skaters and will see the existing steel facility in Dawes Street replaced by a larger concrete park.

The skate park will cost £180,000 and will be paid for through a one-off funding pot by the council.

The new design will see the skate park extended across the street, into the nearby car park — with the current footpath to Morrisons being diverted.

It will measure 1,275 square metres — almost double the size of the current one.

The new design has been drawn up specifically to accommodate all disciplines, skills and age levels together in one safe space.

The current park was opened by Bolton Council in 2007 following a campaign by young people, and is regularly used by skateboarders, BMX bikers and scooter users. Its popularity has meant that the park has often become overcrowded.

Planning permission for the new project was granted in August, 2013 and Hertfordshire-based Freestyle Skateparks was awarded the contract by the council after pitching its ideas to a group of 12 young park users.

Thomas Searson, aged 21, from Westhoughton, said: “I was actually involved in getting the first park set up in 2007.

“This time the council chose three different designers to pitch their ideas and our group picked the best one — we liked the scale of the design and the quirky objects featured in it.

“It was great for us to be involved in that process and I can’t wait to be one of the first to use it when it’s ready.”

Freestyle is the UK’s oldest and largest skate park design and build company.

Designer Jack Micklewright said: “We have built 400 challenging parks over the last 30 years, but this one is special.

“It offers a genuine chance to increase community integra-tion and cohesion.

“It should be a real step-up and we’re confident it will be well received — I have skated for 15 years and it will be amazing to have a go when it is finished.”

Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris added: “The design for the skate park is suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities, and the new park will provide an excellent place for young people to meet and enjoy their sport.”

Building work is expected to start on the new park in July or August, but some preparatory work is likely to take place before then. The project is expected to then take about 12 weeks to complete.