NEW images reveal how North Berwick’s skatepark could look... if a “big hole” in funding can be plugged.

The proposed £140,000 upgrade of the existing skatepark at Recreation Park aims to create a more enjoyable and dynamic experience for skaters and scooter riders.

The plan has been headed by North Berwick Community Skatepark project, a group dedicated to sourcing funding to bring a first-class facility to the town.

The vision has changed from the provisional upgrades explored last July, with the new renders showing a more modern and free-flowing design.

So far, the project has sourced funding from groups across the local area, but is pushing ahead to source more and make the exciting upgrades a reality.

East Lothian Courier: How the current skatepark in North Berwick looks

How the current skatepark in North Berwick looks

Lewis Houghton, chairperson of North Berwick Community Skatepark, was delighted with the new designs and was happy that the group found a Scottish company to make the vision a reality.

He said: “We are immensely excited; we are just a group of parents all with the vision to get this skatepark done.

“The current users are a great bunch of children, there are never any problems, and it is welcoming, positive and inclusive.

“But the current skatepark is not fit for purpose. Since the indoor skatepark [at theSPACE] was lost, there hasn’t been a facility in North Berwick to use. The fact that the facility was dated really needed to be addressed, as we need something for current and future generations.”

Lewis thanked all the groups from North Berwick and beyond that had supported the vision but knew there was still a long way to go in regards to funding.

He said: “We are pushing ahead with our funding applications and are so grateful to have secured funds from North Berwick Trust, North Berwick Rotary Club, North Berwick Coastal Area Partnership and Law Cycles.

“We still have a mountain to climb in regards to funding.

“We have £26,000 out of £140,000, which is still quite a big hole to fill, but we have a couple of big, exciting funding applications getting processed at the moment.

“We should know some good news in the next eight to 10 weeks.”

East Lothian Courier: How the new skatepark would look. Image: Concreate Skateparks

How the new skatepark would look. Image: Concreate Skateparks

Lewis added that if the group was able to get the funding in this timeframe, building work could start before the end of the year, with the park being up and running by next Spring.

He was also eager to stress that the new design would be ideal for all levels of skater.

He said: “The whole ideology was to give people the chance to hone their skills.

“It was a case of building a skatepark for those of all levels and, as a result, there’s a massive variety of bowls, ramps and rails.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “It’s very exciting to hear that the group have developed proposed plans for the redevelopment and we look forward to engaging with them in the future.”

For more information, search NB Community Skatepark on Facebook or Instagram.