A SKATE fest, at which plans for a new skate park in Stevenage will be unveiled, is to be held in the town. The MBA/Skate Forum has put together a proposal to build a plaza with woodland BMX and mountain bike trails for all ages and abilities and it is pr

A SKATE fest, at which plans for a new skate park in Stevenage will be unveiled, is to be held in the town.

The MBA/Skate Forum has put together a proposal to build a plaza with woodland BMX and mountain bike trails for all ages and abilities and it is preparing to submit it to Stevenage Borough Council.

And on Sunday, November 30 at Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre, members of the public, businesses and councillors can see what the Forum has planned for the town and find out what skateboarding is about and why skaters desperately need the plaza.

The free event which has been funded by Stevenage Borough Council and partners Hertfordshire Police and Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service who have contributed £1,200 between them, is open to everyone and visitors will have the opportunity to skate the Red Bull Manny Mania obstacles with professional skaters. There will also be lots of free skate goodies, coaching for beginners to advanced and free bottles of water.

Jim Breckenridge, owner of the WheelyBoard skate shop in Stevenage Indoor Market and member of the Stevenage Skate Forum, said: "It's fantastic that this event is finally going ahead and the support that the national and international skateboarding industry has given us is amazing. Worldwide brands such as Lakai, Circa and DC shoes have all sent goodies to give out on the day as have European brand Delight Skateboards. Blueprint, Death and Delight skateboards have all promised to send team riders for the day as well."

A number of sites have been earmarked for the plaza but Fairlands Valley is currently the favourite because of its central location, space, safety and security and parking facilities.

The Forum argues that having such a facility would take skateboarders off the streets and prevent any need for proposed Acceptable Behaviour Contracts or ASBOs.

Pc Paul Lawlor, youth crime reduction officer in Stevenage, said: "The Safer Neighbourhood Team is pleased to be supporting this event. It is a positive forum for young people in the town to express themselves through active sport participation."

For more information visit: www.myspace.com/mba_skate_forum or call 01438 230553 Wednesday to Saturday 10am-5pm.

The event will be held in the main sports hall from 12-6pm.

Although the event is free, the Forum, which consists of skaters, members of Stevenage Borough Council, Hertfordshire Constabulary, the MBA Association and Groundwork Hertfordshire, asks that visitors make a voluntary donation towards the skate plaza fund.