Skateboarders have nowhere to meet

The skateboarders, who claim they have nowhere to board safely, will have their say on the design plans on Monday.

Three schemes have been shortlisted for consideration and presentations will be given on the new ideas.

Denbighshire Council has earmarked the money from the Welsh Assembly Government to build the parks in the west and south west wards of the seaside town.

In response to an increase interest in the sport a number of groups, campaigning for facilities for skaters and BMX bikers has been set up in Rhyl, Prestatyn, Denbigh, Llangollen and Corwen.

We are taking a fast track approach to this to make sure that there is a facility in place in time for the summer Ken Ewing, Denbighshire council

Last month more than 150 people attended a public meeting to view presentations of the wheeled sports facilities.

The concrete skateparks in Rhyl will be the first specifically-built sites in the county.

The west ward of Rhyl was classified as the most deprived area of Wales in 2000.

Local skater Oliver Hudson said it is difficult to find somewhere safe to skate.

"We're always getting kicked off spots where we go skating by security guards and the police.

Smaller skatepark

"We usually go to car parks skating and we go around Liverpool and Manchester where they have skateparks," he said.

Councillors hope this latest initiative will ensure keen skaters have somewhere safe to practice.

Ken Ewing from Denbighshire council said they are keen to get the facility up and running.

"We are taking a fast track approach to this to make sure that there is a facility in place in time for the summer," he said.

Last month young people involved with the sport discussed the plans for the arena which would be built near the sky tower on Rhyl promenade.

The teenagers saw presentations from manufacturers of wheeled sport facilities and gave their own design ideas.

Subject to further consultation and planning, a smaller skatepark would be built elsewhere in the area.

The public meeting will take at 1700GMT at Rhyl Town Hall.