Morecambe skatepark will get a new lease of life despite being under threat when the Eden Project comes to town.
Morecambe town councillors have agreed to pay £8,000 towards repairs of the Central Drive skate park.
The repairs, they said, will make the damaged park useable for young people for at least two years.
No long-term decisions have been made for the site, because councillors said it may be "repurposed" when the Eden Project Morecambe arrives.
But the town council pledged to look at securing a long-term facility for skateboarding in Morecambe, should the current skatepark no longer exist when Eden is developed.
The proposal to pay for repairs of the site, which is owned by Lancaster City Council, was put forward by Councillor Clark Kent, of the Morecambe Bay Independent group (pictured below).
Councillor Kent said that the town council should pay to resurface the skate park to "return it to a useable recreational facility for young people".
"Morecambe has a problem with anti-social behaviour, similar to that of many towns," said his proposal.
"This is combined with a lack of facilities to encourage young people to get involved in recreational activities.
"The surface of the skatepark on Central Drive, Morecambe, requires repair work and the council has received several complaints from users.
"The skatepark is currently an underused facility for young people which could, with some improvement work, help to encourage positive interaction with public realm infrastructure, and reduce the likelihood of young people engaging in anti social behaviour.
"Whilst the skatepark is owned by Lancaster City Council, it is understood the area may be repurposed upon the arrival of Eden. Therefore, funding at the higher tier authority has not been found.
"It is estimated that repair work would cost approximately £8,000, and would provide a temporary solution for a minimum of two years."
Councillor Kent has also proposed that Morecambe Town Council work with Lancaster City Council and other agencies to secure a long-term provision for skateboarding in Morecambe, should the current skatepark no longer exist when Eden is developed.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the motion, at the meeting held at Morecambe Town Hall.
During the debate, they also talked about a nearby youth shelter, which has been covered in offensive graffiti, and pledged to report it to the city council.
Councillor Faye Cooper (pictured below), a Morecambe Bay Independent, also offered to clean the graffiti herself.
The Eden Project Morecambe is a new visitor attraction earmarked for the central Promenade area, with work due to start in 2024 and a target opening date of 2026. The facility is expected to pull a huge number of visitors to the town.
Councillor Peter Jackson (pictured below), Lancaster City Council cabinet member with responsibility for communities, wellbeing and partnerships, said: “The Morecambe skate park is nearly 20 years old and like any facility of this age ideally requires some improvements, particularly to the surfacing.
"We would typically look to fund these by applying for grant funding, as was the case when the skatepark was originally built in 2004 and how improvements to many other play areas have been funded in recent years.
“However, while no direct proposals or decisions have been made for the site, it would be remiss not to recognise that Eden Project Morecambe may present some opportunities that mean any improvements could only have a short term benefit.
“External grant bodies are generally reticent to fund works which may only be short-term so the number of avenues available to us are limited, but we are grateful to Morecambe Town Council for considering the matter."
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