Youngsters 'over the moon' after new shelter installed at Market Drayton skatepark - with plans for lights next

Councillors and youth workers are delighted to see the new Caloo 'hangout' shelter in Market Drayton after plans were submitted in September this year.

The town council is also pursuing the installation of lights as it seeks to make the North Shropshire town's skatepark as safe and inviting as possible.

After a request from youngsters who use the facility, authorities worked collaboratively to secure funding and get the shelter installed.

Shropshire Council's Youth Support Area Lead for North Shropshire, Andy Haller was heavily involved in the process, and is delighted with the new shelter.

He said: "It's brilliant. We've been doing some work at the skatepark for a couple of years.

"We've established a positive relationship with a group of young people down there, and through general conversations about anything they wanted to do or needed, the thing they were screaming out for the most was somewhere to shelter and get away from the bad weather, and also they need some lights.

"So myself and a colleague got talking to the town council and it evolved from that. The young people are over the moon with it. They are well chuffed and really pleased. 

"What we're doing at the moment is working closely with the town council and liaising with the young people. What we're trying to do there is create a safe space for young people because at the moment there are very few places for young people to hang out in a safe way.

"With the lights, we are hoping this can happen. I am in the process of talking to the council and seeing if there is any funding for the town council to try and get it lit up there.

"We work there every Thursday night and even like now when it is cold and wet the young people are there - credit to them, they love it there. If we had some lights there it would be brilliant and even better."

Chair of the town council's services and facilities committee Tim Manton added: "The new skatepark shelter has now been completed and will be a great asset to what is already one of the best skateparks in the county. 

"Discussions took place earlier this year with the town council and Andy Haller regarding the users of the skate park. Andy consulted with the users of the park and the general consensus was that large groups of young people were not using the skatepark during the winter period because of it being too exposed and also the lack of lighting, without exception the consensus was they would be extremely grateful and made up if the shelter and lights could be made available to them at the skatepark.

"Following those discussions the town council resolved to facilitate the procurement of a shelter which can now be seen in its full glory. And it won’t stop there: the town council are currently looking at costings to have some lights installed in that area so hopefully in the not-too-distant future there will be more good news for users of the skate park. 

"Once again it is vitally important the town council listens to our community, and especially our young people, listening to their concerns and addressing those with firm action are a top priority, together with listening to our specialist partners who have a deep-seated knowledge of what is required. We are delighted in this instance to not only have listened but also delivered for our youth in Market Drayton."