THE long-awaited opening of Tavistock?s new skatepark and youth café takes place this Saturday with live bands and professional skaters headlining a day of celebration. The two projects, which have cost in the region of £175,000, are the culmination of years of hard work by the young people of Tavistock, who have worked with local authorities and organisations. The day starts at noon with the youth cafe being officially opened at 1pm and the skatepark at 1.30pm. Live bands, all local groups, will play throughout the afternoon and from 2pm onwards there will be a pro skater demonstration followed by a free skate with prizes. Professional BMX riders will also be on hand. Three years ago a local survey of youngsters in the Tavistock College area revealed that both facilities were at the top of their wish list. The town council has been project managing the skatepark project and has contributed £6,000 towards the £73,000 scheme but there is still a shortfall of £9,000. Town clerk Roger Howard said there were also plans to create a youth shelter and so the authority was looking for any donations to help with the costs. Richard Porter, Chairman of Taviskate, said: ?It?s good to see the park finally finished. Now the kids have somewhere fun to skate and it will greatly improve their level of skateboarding as well. ?The new skatepark consists of a tarmac base and has a wide range of equipment including a bench, box, rail, and a range of ramps and variations. For more information and pictures on the park visit http://www.freewebs.com/taviskate">www.freewebs.com/taviskate. Hope to see everyone there on Saturday.? Taviskate, a group of skaters, riders and parents was set up in 1998 to create a facility in the town and has won support from West Devon Borough Council, the Barclays ?Spaces for Sport? fund and other organisations, who have contributed financially. Tavistock and District Youth Council has been the driving force behind the youth cafe. Costing around £100,000 it is housed in a double sized purpose built portable cabin at Pixon Lane and is kitted out with a coffee bar, computers with internet access and a pool table. The cafe is open 16 hours a week and is run by a manager and volunteers. Chairman of the youth council David Johnson said: ?We are thrilled with the new cafe. Everybody has worked so hard and we would like to thank all those organisations who have helped us along the way. This is a brilliant new resource for the young people of the Tavistock area.? Tavistock Mayor Jenny Metcalf said the projects in Pixon Lane and Benson Meadow were very worthwhile schemes: ?The skatepark is already being used and is very very popular. It will give the youngsters somewhere to go and this area of the town could become the youth corner,? she said.