Tetbury parents' skatepark dream realised (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

The Adam Philby Memorial Skatepark on the Tetbury Recreation Ground has been officially opened

8:00am Saturday 20th October 2012 in Cotswolds news By Ian Craig

THE parents of a keen skater who was tragically killed in a car crash have finally realised their dream of opening a new skate park in his memory.

Construction work on the Adam Philby Memorial Skatepark on the Tetbury Recreation Ground has finally been finished after three years of hard work.

Work began after keen skater Adam was tragically killed in a car crash on his way to Stroud College just three days after his 20th birthday in 2009.

Donations to a fund in his memory immediately began flooding in, and his parents Malc and Lizzie decided to expand and update the existing skate park at the Tetbury Recreation Ground with the help of construction company Maverick Industries.

Although raising £85,000 for the work seemed like a tall order, generous residents from Tetbury and further afield clubbed together to get the funds together.

A range of events were held throughout the town including raffles at the Woolsack, Tetbury Fiesta and Flower Show, a concert by Tetbury up-and-comer Harry Jones, a jazz evening at Café 53 and many more.

Malc and Lizzie worked tirelessly to raise the funds, and were successful in getting a £49,999 lottery bid to give the project a much-needed boost.

Although it was originally hoped the park would be opened this summer, weather delayed the project and the park was handed over to Malc and Lizzie on behalf of the town of Tetbury this month, just three days before what would have been Adam’s 23rd birthday.

Malc and Lizzie said they were extremely grateful to everyone who had helped throughout the project, particularly Helen Paul from architects Verity and Beverley and Sue Bailey from Tetbury Town Council who helped steer the project.

A tearful Malc said he wished Adam was still here to skate on the new bowl.

“But, of course, if he were here then the project would never have been undertaken,” he added.

An official launch party is planned for 2013 when the weather has improved.