THE next phase in the evolution of Hereford's popular skatepark will be celebrated at a special event tomorrow.

Kicking off at 3.30pm, the celebratory event at the Holmer Road park will mark the opening of the skatepark’s ‘Boom Box’ clubhouse and shop, as well as the official switch-on of the new floodlighting system.

Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Len Tawn, will be present along with Mayoress, Jenny Tawn, and there will be representatives from some of the organisations that have helped fund the project, together with those that have provided equipment and assistance.

The ceremony will be followed by an evening event when the 2Faced Dance company will be putting on an event starting at 7pm.

The project to create the Boom Box and install the lighting was led by Wheeled Sports 4 Hereford. It masterminded the creation of the skatepark, with its first phase opening back in 2009. As well as skateboarders, the skatepark is also used by BMXers and inline-skaters.

The Boom Box is constructed from two shipping containers and comprises a skateboard equipment shop and coaching station on its ground floor, and lockers, an art gallery wall, a hangout space and a refreshment kitchen on its first.

It cost £60,000, including £50,000 of National Lottery funding from Sport England. The remaining funding came from The Beaumont Trust and Severn Waste Environmental Fund.

The floodlighting, which uses pre-paid cards purchased from the shop, has been installed to increase the time that the skatepark can be used, especially by older users who are at work during the day.

Funding for this came from The Veolia Environmental Trust, who awarded £18,000 through the Landfill Communities Fund.

A further £4,000 came from Comic Relief, organised through Herefordshire Community Foundation, and the EF Bulmer Benevolent Fund. Sport England also helped to fund the floodlights.

Wheeled Sports 4 Hereford’s chair Denise Parkinson, said: “The Boom Box and the floodlights are the next step in creating a first-rate sorts facility that can be used all-year-round.

“The lights will mean it can be used and enjoyed in the evenings and into the winter, and the Boom Box will act as a base for a wide range of activities that will engage and support users, whatever their age and abilities. We would like to say a big thank-you to everyone who made them happen.”