Dedicated riders and skaters have been working hard to see the return of an indoor skate park in the town.

Lockdown hasn’t stopped the 2020 Skate and Ride park from progressing, with the facility now almost complete.

The skate park, based at Gore Cross Business Park, is a project led by Rob Ridge and Dominic Brown, the founders of The Trick Factory skate park at St Michael’s Trading Estate which closed in 2016.

The idea was formed in January and since then, the pair launched a successful Crowdfunding campaign, which raised more than £26,000, found a premises and built ramps with the help of former users of the Trick Factory.

Rob said: “Using safe practices, we were able to carry on slowly but surely and completing the work with social distancing. We are just waiting for the green light. I suppose we are quite like a gym and we are waiting to find out when we can safely operate.

“We are not quite finished but we are 90 per cent done, we have got all the most important bits in and there are some things to finish off, but as soon as we have got a starting date, which hopefully won’t be our limitations but that of the Government, we are ready to go.

“We have had a fairly committed team here and we have all tried to come outside of our own jobs just to fast track the project.

“Looking at calendar dates, next Sunday, May 31, would have been the final night of The Trick Factory four years ago and we were possibly hoping we could carry on and open on June 1 because, apart from the four year gap, it would have been a nice way of doing it.”

The team would like to thank the landlords of the unit, all those who donated to the crowdfunder, including individuals, businesses, groups and councils, and those who run The Front skate park in Weymouth for all their advice, knowledge and expertise.

Rob added: “When we formulated the idea back in January and started the fundraiser, it was a vote of confidence and with the money we have got we have been able to build this and be able to buy the best materials. There are lots of ways to cut corners and we like to think we haven’t.

“With the budget we had, it was nice to build it to the best of our ability in the confines of the unit.

“We hope it will give local users something to look forward to after the hard times we have all had to go through. We look forward to lots of fun and happy times ahead."

The change of use planning application for the unit is currently still with Dorset Council.

The team at 2020 Skate and Ride are looking for volunteers to help supervise the facility and if you can help, contact the 2020 Skate and Ride Facebook page or contact Rob on 07811 626503.