WORK on a new state-of-the-art skatepark in Greenock will begin within the next few weeks after the plans were passed.

The £174,000 facility will replace the current one in Battery Park after Inverclyde Council officials gave the green light.

The new park will boast a host of new features including ramps, kickers, quarter pipes, steps, rails, banks, raised tables and kerbs.

Designs for the new facility were put together in conjunction with Inverclyde Skatepark Group, who are delighted with the concept.

Group chairman Martin McShane said: “It’s everything we could have asked for, considering the budget we had.

“The design company Wheelscape has done a fantastic job.

“The council has also been absolutely fantastic, anything they could have helped with they did.” The facility will have three distinct sections — transition, plaza and street – boasting lots of features and obstacles to suit various levels of ability.

Key features will be linked together to create a ‘cohesive riding experience’, meaning the park can be used as a whole, courtesy of long flowing lines linking various obstacles to the next.

On busier days it can be split into separate areas to cater for the maximum number of users.

Councillor Michael McCormick is pleased the plans have cleared the final hurdle and says he is now looking forward to seeing the skatepark in full flow.

He told the Tele: “This is an exciting new development and it is welcome news that the planning application has been given the go-ahead. “The existing skatepark has been well used but it is clear from the plans for the new skatepark that we will be moving to a whole new level.

“I would like to thank the Inverclyde Skatepark Group for their valuable input in making sure that the new skatepark is an investment we can all be proud of.” Work on the skatepark is expected to begin over the next month.