IT WOULD appear that not even Santa Claus was able to help Cirencester’s new skate park open its gates in time for Christmas.

The skate park, which in under construction at the Kingshill Sports Complex, was due to be opened before the end of the year but has been delayed due to the strong winds and rain that battered Cirencester in mid December.

Officials at Cirencester Town Council have confirmed that the bad weather resulted in the final phase of concreting being postponed.

Andrew Tubb, chief executive of CTC, said: “The town council, 1Skateparks and the local user group have made every effort to complete the project in time for Christmas but due to the ongoing unsettled weather, the anticipated completion date is more likely to be the end of January.”

The 200,000 park, which is being jointly funded by the town council and Sport England, has been in the pipeline for the over seven years.

When it is completed, the park will cover an area of 900sqm and will offer around 20 different obstacles of up to 1.35m in height to challenge skaters, BMXers and rollerbladers of all abilities.

The skate park’s circular circuit will feature a Roman Corinium pillar seating centrepiece along with newly installed floodlights that will allow users to carry on skating until 9pm.

Speaking at the start of the park’s construction in October, Cllr Deryck Nash, lead member for estate services, described it as “one of the best, if not the best, in the South West”.

Mr Tubb said: “We will keep the public informed of progress and would like to thank the user group for their continued support and understanding of the situation, particularly in view of the level of expectation and excitement.”

Keep checking the Standard for further updates on when the completed skate park will be open to the public.