HEREFORD Skatepark – recognised as one of the best in England – this week celebrated its latest enhancement.

The site on Holmer Road officially opened its new 'boom box' clubhouse and shop, and marked the official switch-on of its new floodlighting system.

Constructed from two shipping containers, the boom box 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 project was led by Wheeled Sports 4 Hereford which masterminded the creation of the skatepark – estimated to have 27,000 visits a year – with its first phase opening back in 2009.

Wheeled Sports 4 Hereford chairman Denise Parkinson, said: "The boom box and the floodlights are the next step in creating a first-rate sports 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."

The Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Len Tawn, cut the ribbon at last week's event while the Beefy Boys provided the food and 2Faced Dance put on an event in the evening.

The floodlighting uses pre-paid cards purchased from the shop. Funding came from The Veolia Environmental Trust, which 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 out.

Simon Gorman, a volunteer at the skatepark, said: "All of the individuals who help behind the scenes have been here and for them to see what they have created is amazing.

"What is important is that there is a part of childhood that is forgotten. We are either children or we are adults. But there is a bit in between that people forget and I think that’s the importance of this place.

"The skatepark has proved to the people that use it that they can still be individuals but if you look out there it is one large community."

Visit http://herefordskatepark.co.uk/ for more information on the project.