Extreme sports in Blackley

The Blackley Extreme Sports Event promises an exhilarating, rollercoaster ride of a day featuring a jam-packed line up of urban sports, music, art, and extreme activities.

Open to all young people and their families, the Blackley Extreme Sports Event will be held on Saturday 27 September to celebrate the opening of Blackley Skatepark, the first sports and recreation facility of its kind in the area, located in Plant Hill Park.

The Skatepark is the City Council's response to feedback from youngsters in and around Blackley who wanted to see more sports faclities in the area - especially for those who want to practice their skateboarding and BMX skills.

Blackley Extreme Sports Day will mark the official opening of the skatepark with breathtaking BMX and skateboard displays performed by some of Britain's best riders and performances from the North West's finest emerging urban music talent, live on the Co-op Urban Music Stage.

Thrill seekers who want to take part in the action themselves can have a go at extreme sports. A bungee trampoline, surfboard simulator, climbing wall and a reverse bungee are guaranteed to get the adrenaline pumping. Budding young BMX-ers, skateboarders and in-line skaters also have the opportunity to win a brand new pro-BMX or skateboard by entering the freestyle competition, but youngsters are advised to bring their own safety gear to protect against the thrills and spills.

The Nintendo-sponsored Gaming Pods will offer demonstrations of the latest games including Mario Kart, Supersmash Brothers and Wii Fit while aspiring fashion designers can customise their t-shirts in specialist workshops.

Councillor Mike Amesbury Executive Member for Culture and Leisure for Manchester City Council said: "The new skatepark in Plant Hill is very much in response to what young people want to see in the area and the programme of events for the opening day has also been designed with them in mind. It is important that we provide young people with the opportunity to engage in positive activities of their choosing and we very much hope the skatepark is something they can make use of and enjoy."

The event, coordinated by Manchester City Council working closely with the Friends of Plant Hill Park group has also been supported by a number of partners including Northwards Housing, Private Sector Housing, the Youth Contact Team, Sports Development, King Ramps, Sketch City, Nintendo, Friends of Plant Hill Park and Manchester Leisure.

Manchester's skiing and snowboarding emporium the Chill Factor will be giving away four family passes on the day; two family passes to learn ski or snowboard skills and two grom camp passes for the freestyle ski evening for those with experience who would like some freestyle ski coaching. For more information please visit http://www.salomongromcamps.co.uk

There will also be a giveaway of ten passes for the world-championship standard BMX track in Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, for a free 2-hour session. The Blackley Extreme Sports Event takes place Saturday 27 September 1pm - 5pm at Plant Hill Park, Plant Hill Road, Blackley, Manchester, M9 0WQ. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Claire Keegan, Press Office, tel: 0161 234 4014