The opening of Sittingbourne’s new Mill Skatepark has been delayed.

In August, Swale council said it was hoped the long-awaited facility – which has taken nearly a decade to become a reality – would be opened in October.

But, a week into November, and work on the 570-square metre site behind Halfords at Sittingbourne Retail Park is continuing. It is now thought the skatepark will not be ready until the end of the year.

On Friday last week, Swale council, which stumped up £200,000 to support the project, said: “Work at the new Sittingbourne Skatepark is about 90% complete and we are hoping it will be ready to open by the end of the year.

“Recent wet weather has caused delays as the high-quality concrete finish required on the ramps can only be completed when the weather is dry.

“The main work to create the concrete half pipes, ramps, grind ledges and jump box are already complete and some final touches and landscaping need to be done. Once complete, the £240,000 skatepark will be managed and maintained by Brogdale CIC, who hope to use the park for events and to provide training and enterprise opportunities for young people.”

Dave Green, of Eastchurch, who has been campaigning for the skatepark since 2011, said: “It’s eight years now since we started campaigning for one. We are fed up that it’s taken so long, as much as everyone else is.

“But I hope it will get done soon. It’s just unfortunate we have had this bad weather slow it down.

"We know there’s still a massive amount of interest in it. Once the opening date is confirmed, that will be the start of it.”

The boss of Bird and Pest Solutions added: “It’s going to be good for local people. It’ll be somewhere for them to go, socialise and learn new skills.”

The park has been designed and is being built by Gravity Skateparks and will include rails, grind banks, a jump box, stair set and a rotate platform ditch bowl, seating, bike racks and landscaping.

For more, visit The Mill Skatepark Facebook page or click here.

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