Victoria Park improvements near completion

Parts of the new play area are due to be opened on Friday, while it is hoped the new skate park will open next month

WORK on a new play area and skate park in Victoria Park, Newbury, is nearing completion.

The large Mega Tower, children's swings and cantilever basket swing will be opened to the public from late Friday afternoon (27), and the kiddies play area will be open next month, with a provisional date of June 17 set.

The delay has been put down to germination issues with grass seed due to the dry weather.

The services manager for Newbury Town Council, Granville Taylor, said the council has been watering the new play area and adjacent open space daily to try and encourage the grass seed and grow, but it has only just started to show signs and the area needs to be fully established before it could be opened to the public.

Mr Taylor said if or when new funding becomes available it is planned that additional play equipment will be installed in further phases.

The new skate-park in Victoria Park has been given a provisional completion date of June 17, subject to weather conditions and approval following a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents inspection.

Construction of the skate park has also taken a little longer than expected due to issues with the ready-mixed cement due to national demand.

The mayor of Newbury, Jeff Beck (Con, Clay Hill), will carry out the official grand opening of the skate park on 3 July.

It is hoped that top skateboarders and BMX bikers will attend and give demonstrations of their skills.

Maverick Industries will also be in attendance and plan to hold skateboard and BMX competitions.