Forres skate park group applies for charity status
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FORRES wheeled closer to having a skate park with the latest move by a campaign group.
Forres Skate Park Initiative (FSPI) has submitted an application to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator to seek charity status.
FSPI chairman Shaun Moat explained: "We want to set up as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) so that we can take the project to the next stage: public consultation and a feasibility study to identify a suitable location for the skate park. We are interested in hearing from local people on their thoughts. We now have a committee of seven trustees but if anyone is looking to come on board as a member, we would urge them to get in touch via our Facebook page."
In 2014, the community attended a 'Spirit of Community' meeting at Forres Town Hall - organised by local Moray Councillor Lorna Creswell - to discuss what they wanted for the town’s future.
A following report included a section focused on young person’s activities and services which included aspirations for a skate park.
Forres Area Community Trust initially investigated the possibility before helping to form the FSPI group. The group is working with Cllr Creswell and the local authority's senior planning team on the project.
FSPI are also trying to raise around £13,000 for a feasibility study via a number of funding streams including fundraising events planned for later this year.
Mr Moat added: "We will also be launching a competition for school pupils to design a new FSPI logo. Following the competition, we will be looking to hold a public consultation day in the town centre, where park designs will be displayed and the community will be able to vote for their favourite design. The winner will receive a prize, as well as have their design adopted by the initiative."
