TEENAGERS will find out tonight if their hopes for a skatepark jump the first hurdle.Youngsters from the Level2 youth centre in Felixstowe will have their first taste of a council meeting when they will attend the play areas sub-committee of the town council to listen to a debate on their proposals.

TEENAGERS will find out tonight if their hopes for a skatepark jump the first hurdle.

Youngsters from the Level2 youth centre in Felixstowe will have their first taste of a council meeting when they will attend the play areas sub-committee of the town council to listen to a debate on their proposals.

Youth leaders say it will be a novel experience for the youngsters, who have formed an action group and started a petition calling for a skatepark, and will allow them to see how democracy works and that their views are considered.

The sub-committee – the first stage on a long route for the project if it is to go-ahead – will look at plans drawn up by cycle shop owner Stephen Flynn and top BMX rider Steve Upson.

They have put forward a series of options costed at between £12,000 and £170,000 and suggested that Langer Park should be transformed for the venture, which could be used by skateboarders, BMX riders and trials bike enthusiasts.

"Langer Park would be the best venue because it would be so central for all the young people – easy to reach from the seafront, town and the estates in the west of the resort," said Mr Flynn, who owns Flynnstar Bicycles in Constable Road.

"It would be no good having satellite sites around the town, as has been suggested by some councillors, because you would need to find so many sites and then each would have so little.

"One site is easy to identify and could provide the youngsters with a fantastic facility where they could meet."

Adults supporting the youngsters in their campaign say it will take them off the streets, give them something to channel their energy into, cut youth crime and vandalism, and provide a top-quality facility and meeting place for youngsters.

Felixstowe has just one skateboard area on Cavendish Park, but the £10,000 facility comprises simply an undulating tarmac strip and is flooded and unused.

Youngsters play on pavements and raised edges of grass and flower beds on The Triangle, Hamilton Road, to the annoyance of shoppers and traders – or persuade parents to take them to other towns to use park ramps.