National Lottery funding could help make long-held dreams of creating a skatepark in Bankfoot a reality.
The village’s youth group has been awarded £10,000 to enable its members to carry out a widespread community consultation.
It is hoped that will prove positive, enabling the group to press ahead with a major fundraising campaign in the New Year.
There are currently ten purpose-built skateparks across the Perth and Kinross area, with the free facilities created thanks to partnerships between the council and dedicated local groups.
Each caters for skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX riders and the sites, including that at Perth’s Lesser South Inch have proved hugely popular.
Bankfoot Youth Group’s Kerrie Boath has been part of the team behind the plan to create the village’s own facility for some years.
She welcomed the lottery funding, saying: “We are most grateful to Awards for All for providing the funding for a feasibility study for a new skate park and wheeled sports facility.
“This is something the community has been looking to create for several years and this is a huge step forward in bring it closer to delivery.
“We really need the whole community to get behind this and we’ll be issuing a short survey soon to gather evidence of need and community support.
“The feasibility study should be complete by April then we’re on a quest to find the funding to build it.”
Anyone who would like to show their support for the project or comment in any way can email kerrieboath@hotmail.co.uk to receive a link to the survey.
Detailed plans for a skatepark were last submitted to Perth and Kinross Council in 2015, when the proposal for the Coronation Park came with a £166,000 price tag.
Strathtay Conservative Councillor Anne Jarvis is among those backing the project, which she believes would be a welcome addition to the village.
She said: “Bankfoot is an active self-help community and the skateboard group have a site identified.
“They have done well to raise the funding for their feasibility study.
“This is a project I fully support and, if successful, one which will help local youngsters take part in an active sporting activity, thereby enabling them to lead healthy active lives.
“I commend the group’s initiative and, if they get their full funding later, I believe it will be a valuable facility for the young people and the wider community.”
The National Lottery Awards for All Scotland makes grants from £300 to £10,000 to voluntary and community groups across the country.
Visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/awardsforallscotland or call 0300 123 7110 for information on how to apply.
