CIRENCESTER’S long overdue skate park has been dealt another blow after it was announced the company behind the project has gone into administration.

The building of the skate park at the Kingshill Sports Complex, which was originally intended to be open at the end of last year, has been continually delayed in recent months due to bad weather and it is thought 1Skatepark’s financial problems could push the opening day back even further.

1Skatepark, which is constructing the project, announced that it had gone into administration on Monday, February 10.

Cllr Mark Harris, deputy mayor of Cirencester, described the latest setback to the build as a “great shame”.

“We select companies using a rigorous tendering process as is required of us and their appointment was acknowledged by Sport England. Sadly the rain and other circumstances have hit them too hard,” he said.

The deputy mayor said that Cirencester Town Council was looking into all practical possibilities to ensure that building work resumes again soon.

“Our project team is exploring options for project completion, so as soon as there is a break in the weather it will be full steam ahead,” he added.

Building work began on the £200,000 park in October, although the idea had been in the pipeline for over seven years.

When finished, the park, which is being funded by CTC and Sport England, will cover an area of 900sqm and will offer around 20 different obstacles of up to 1.35m in height.

1Skatepark has become a familiar name in the area after the company successfully opened a £250,000 skate park in Malmesbury last September.

Gaz Parsons, a supporter of the park and owner of Decimal Skate Store, said: “It has taken eight years to get this far and there have been many hurdles to jump.

“However, I did not see this ever being one of them. There are only a few weeks of building work left and we will get there and it will be worth all these setbacks.”

In a statement on the 1Skatepark website, managing director Richard Bartlett wrote that the delays to the park would cause any additional cost to the community or the council.

He said: “We are a heartbeat away from finishing. Please help us protect the site and support the hard work that Cirencester Town Council is doing in helping us give you the very best facility.”

It is anticipated that the Cirencester skate park should be open in the summer.