Council gets skates on over park

The council hopes the park will attract enthusiasts from all over NI

Belfast's first ever urban sports park is expected to be opened by Easter of next year, the city council has said.

The council has been working for a number of years with Belfast Urban Sports to create a park for BMXing, skateboarding and rollerblading.

Disused land at the M3 underpass at Nelson Street will now host the sports.

The project has received £370,000 from the EU's Programme for Peace. The council and Better Belfast are funding the remaining £130,000.

Chairman of the council's parks and leisure committee, Councillor Bob Stoker said: "We have been working with BUS on this development for more than three years.

"To see it finally being able to take shape is fantastic for us and for the skaters who are looking forward to a world class iconic urban sports park in the heart of Belfast.

"It makes the hard work worthwhile. We have consulted with urban sports enthusiasts and are confident that what we will have will meet all their needs and allow urban sports to develop to their highest levels in Belfast.

"We also believe it will attract enthusiasts from all over Northern Ireland and even further afield."

Construction of the park is to begin in the next few months.