A Strabane dad has spoken of his pride as his campaign to have a skate park built in the Co Tyrone town saw a positive step towards completion this week.
Members of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Environment and Regeneration Committee endorsed plans to build the skate park at the site on Beechmount Avenue at a meeting on Wednesday.
The project will now move to design stage, with skater dad and chair of Strabane Skate Park Association Liam Cannon telling Belfast Live it was a positive step for young people in the local area.
READ MORE: Group pushing for new skate park facilities in Strabane
“It’s been a slow process but nonetheless it’s been the progress we have been hoping for,” Liam said.
“It’s nice to see Strabane getting the recognition from across the world, there’s been professional athletes in urban sports that have sent us messages from Australia and California so it’s nice to get that.
“I just feel Strabane itself in recent years has suffered from issues around mental health, so whatever we have to address those issues simply isn’t working.
“It’s something that can address the issues that we are suffering from in this town, it makes me feel reassured in the council that they agree with that.”
Liam’s daughter Bella is a talented skater and her dad says the park will be a great new opportunity for her and other young people in the wider Strabane area.
“I think because I am a parent I can see the effects that something like this will have for other kids and parents.
“She has gone one to win two competitions and skated with Team GB skaters, we have a team now and we’re competing in competitions throughout Ireland.
“It’s really exciting for all the kids.”
Proposing to endorse the move on Wednesday, Sinn Féin councillor Brian Harte said it would be a ‘valuable asset’ for the people in Strabane.
Cllr Harte said: “I think it’s a very valuable asset to have in Strabane so I would wholeheartedly endorse the proposals for the skateboard park in Beechmount Avenue.
“That area is derelict more or less at the minute so under the proviso that the residents’ concerns be taken on board.
Seconding, Independent councillor Raymond Barr added: “This is an issue that has been dragging on for quite a while now and I know myself that some local elected reps and Strabane Skate Park Association have put a lot of work into this.
“I think at last we’re in a situation where it could be a positive outcome, so I’d be more than happy to second the proposal.”
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