A SKATEPARK for Whitehill and Bordon's youngsters could be provided by Whitehill Town Council in time for the summer holidays.

In a closed session on Monday during which a design was considered, the council gave the provisional go-ahead for the facility.

It was decided that the skatepark should be located in Jubilee Park and should start off with a half pipe and two quarter pipe ramps.

Should demand grow, the facility could be built up, with additional facilities added over the course of time.

Town councillor Ian Dowdle said after the meeting that he had produced the design for the skate park following consultations in which the youngsters had played an active role.

"With the youngsters, I have visited a couple of skateparks in the district and seen and measured what equipment was there and then put together a design."

The modular system would have benefits for both the youngsters and the town council, said Mr Dowdle, enabling the council to budget for the provision of additional equipment.

"We know that there will be a demand for it and it makes it easier for the council to cope with that demand."

Mr Dowdle said he had abstained from the final vote because of his close involvement with the project, but had been able to advise other councillors with the more technical aspects.

Before the project is given the final go-ahead, the town council is consulting further with local residents about the siting of the facility in Jubilee Park.

"It's got to be placed in a position so that the fair can still go ahead and so that people can still carry out other activities in the park as well."

He anticipated the size of the initial skate park would be about 30 metres by 20 metres - about the size of a tennis court.

The proposal will have to go the town council's finance and policy committee for a more detailed costing and the work will have to go out to tender.

"We are trying to get it done over a reasonable time frame because it has been going on for a long time.

"If we can have something up and running for the summer holidays, it would be nice."