TWO sites in Okehampton are being investigated in a bid to provide a mountain biking and skating area for young people in the town.
This type of recreational facility has been called for by youngsters for more than two years and support is now needed to bring the plan to fruition.
Manager of OCRA Stuart Lord, who is involved in the project, said Okehampton was lagging behind other communities in terms of thinking of its young people and providing for them
He said: 'Hatherleigh and Northlew have both got skating facilities yet Okehampton, which has a much bigger population, has nothing.
'The sport is not a fad — it has been popular for a long time now. OCRA has been running a session a week in the sports hall which up to 70 young people attend but they need somewhere they can access when they want to and which is free.'
A skating area, mountain biking and BMX track was highlighted in the Okehampton Teens to Twenties youth appraisal and the Okehampton regeneration study stated that young people had limited access to appropriate facilities and social activities.
Stuart, who is working in partnership on the project with community worker Alan King, Darren Bostock, of Okehampton Cycles, and James Harrison, of S J Sports, is urging local people to support the initiative.
'There are two possible sites which we do not want to reveal until an environmental assessment has been carried out,' said Stuart. 'What we want at the moment is help and support in getting the project off the ground and fundraising.'
Stuart is asking people to contact him with their support on 01837 54546.
'If anyone is against the idea in principal I also want them to phone me to discuss their concerns,' he said. 'This is something young people from the ages of six to 23 want in Okehampton and with local support I hope we can move forward with it very quickly.'