A YOUTH organisation that spearheaded a £90,000 skatepark project has called it a day due to a lack of support from parents. Ironically, the decision was revealed within days of a public meeting in Attleborough to debate growing concerns about the lack of leisure facilities, and how to encourage community involvement in bringing about improvements.
A YOUTH organisation that spearheaded a £90,000 skatepark project has called it a day due to a lack of support from parents.
Ironically, the decision was revealed within days of a public meeting in Attleborough to debate growing concerns about the lack of leisure facilities, and how to encourage community involvement in bringing about improvements.
The Overboard Attleborough Youth Project was set up in 2000 by a group of volunteers determined to give local youngsters better facilities.
This led to the development of a skateboard park on the town recreation ground at Station Road which opened in 2004, and the installation of new play equipment at the site.
Chairman Leslie Harper, said the group was looking to set up a youth venue, which is something youngsters said they wanted, but it had proved impossible to get other people involved in the project.
“It is so disappointing that we couldn't get anyone else interested in coming up with ideas or help. I think it is just this negative feeling everywhere. Parents always expect others to do all the fundraising and then ask why isn't there anything for the children,” she said.
“It is hard work, none of us has got young children ourselves, and our 'stalwarts' have gone down from a dozen to six. So we made the decision a couple of months ago that we would disband.”
Remaining money raised by the group has been distributed, with £7,000 going to the town council for a children's ball wall, and other donations given to the
town's infants and junior schools, Attleborough and Morley Youth Club, and the Guides.
Sports, leisure and youth organisations have been urged to attend the open meeting, at 7.30pm tonight at Attleborough High School, which is co-hosted by the town and district councils.
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