COUNTY Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg has visited a new gymnastics and skate park facility preparing for its official opening this weekend.

Darlington Gymnastics Club and 4Motion, a charity for wheeled sports, teamed up last year to fund a building that would allow both organisations to provide facilities suitable for members.

After taking over the former Amdega warehouse on the Faverdale Industrial Estate, the two groups have transformed the building into a modern gym and an indoor skate park.

The skate park briefly opened to the public early this year but, after being closed to allow a street circuit to be hand-built, it will open its doors again this Saturday (April 5).

Mr Hogg visited the warehouse for the second time to see how far the building had come and hailed the work to create a facility for young people in Darlington.

Mr Hogg said: “I was pleased to have been invited back to the indoor skate park to see how it has progressed since my last visit in November.

“This really is an excellent community facility and a great place for young people to go. The groups involved are doing a fantastic job and they are an example to other community groups across County Durham and Darlington who are trying to achieve similar goals.”

Nigel Potter, who is leading the 4Motion project, said: “It was great to have Ron back and we’ve really appreciated his support and enthusiasm for the skate park.

“Without the support of the Police Commissioner and many others we wouldn’t have been able to achieve so much.”

The skate park opens on Saturday (April 5) at 10am. To book a place and for more details visit www.4motiondarlington.org/skatepark or search for 4Motion on Facebook.