Young skaters in Crewe work to improve facilities
A group of young people in Crewe who are supported by Connexions – Cheshire & Warrington Limited are working with Police Community Support Officers and local BMX shop owner Mike Warner to try and generate funding for an indoor skate park. On Friday the 25th the group met with MP Edward Timpson to go through plans so far and to seek his support for the venture.
A large group of young people currently gather on the War memorial in the town centre to skate and BMX but their presence, although not deliberately destructive is causing tension with the local community and the police are regular visitors to the site. A number of this group realised that the situation needed to change and approached detached youth workers from Connexions about trying to fund an indoor park.
The Platform One outdoor skate park in Crewe is well used but only when the weather is fine, it becomes dangerous in the wet and isn’t popular during the winter months when it is cold.
Gregory Hill who is part of the group said: “we want to create a place that everyone can use; we are really trying to think of everyone not just ourselves.”
The group is now working with the Youth Federation to become a committee; they have looked in depth at all the issues they will face during the process and are all fully aware that it will take time and lots of hard work. A number have already completed First Aid courses and all plan to volunteer their time once the project reaches completion.
Local PCSO Vikki McKenna said “The group are incredibly dedicated to this project and have already shown huge commitment, I have developed a great relationship with many of them and fully support what they are trying to achieve.”
The group are now hoping to meet with Cheshire East Council to present their ideas and to seek further support. Edward Timpson was very positive about the project; he said it was great to see local young people working for their community and how important it would be for them to continue driving it forward.
More information about the project can be obtained by contacting youth worker Kelly Lincoln at the HUB @ Connexions on Market Street in Crewe. Telephone 01270 253633
