Support for Skatepark

With reference to Duncan Bick’s article in the ‘Gazette’ on Wednesday, October 12.

I was delighted to read about Councillor Creswell’s proposal for a Parkour Park in Forres. My boy Daniel (born ’89) and his friends were passionate skaters and they loved the skate park beside their school, the Forres Academy.

Later, he and his mates downloaded designs from the internet, and built a half- pipe that was placed on the tarmac behind the Universal Hall, Findhorn Bay Caravan Park.

They used their pocket money and raised funds to buy the materials and the half -pipe was enjoyed by many and lasted a good few years. I mention this to show the initiative of young people.

Danny grew up at The Park but moved to Forres in 2002. Tragically, my boy and his friend Kayne were killed in a ‘freak car accident’ (Police words) on the Grantown Road early in 2007.

An event many of your readers will remember, as they were well loved and popular young men.

It breaks my heart to see youngsters hanging around town with little to do. And when they are inventive in finding places to skate – albeit often unsuitable ones – they are being reprimanded and criticized.

Would it not be more creative to harness their energy and enthusiasm by getting them involved in designing and building a leisure facility they can call their own? Much money and human resources are spent every year on Forres’ Flowers, that only last the year. Money and resources spent on our young people will have positive and creative effects that last for lifetimes.

I congratulate Councillor Creswell and Architect Greig Munro for their initiative and far-sightedness.

Rowan S. Duczek, Califer Road, Forres