STOURBRIDGE’S long-awaited brand new skate and BMX park is set to open this weekend.

Unit3sixty, based on The Stourbridge Estate, Mill Race Lane, will open its doors to skaters, BMXers and scooter riders this Saturday (November 29).

Firefighter Gavin Pardoe, a crew commander for West Midlands Fire Service, has been working relentlessly for the last 15 months to bring the state-of-the-art facility to fruition – which he will run with his wife Serena with help from pal Rich Donlevy, also a West Midlands firefighter.

The venture, which will operate as a social enterprise, comprises a "world class" indoor skate park with ramps, rails and jumps; an intermediate level area for BMX-ers, skateboarders and scooter riders; a mini balance bike course for youngsters, graffiti area, skate merchandise shop, a cafe and mezzanine viewing gallery.

Plans to incorporate a DJ school within the 22,000 square foot complex are also in the pipeline.

Gavin, aged 42, said: “It's taken a lot of work to get to this point and there's still plenty to do in the remaining hours until we open but we've done it. I might get quite emotional on the day."

The project, which has created ten new jobs and which features ramps designed by renowned skate park builder Piers Chapman, has scooped more than £200,000 worth of funding from Dudley Council (£40,000), Dudley's community forums (£17,500), the Margaret Westwood Memorial Charity (£20,000), Sport England (£50,000), Charity Bank (£50,000), Biffa (£50,000) and Public Heath (£10,000) .

The hub for extreme sports lovers, which has already held a couple of pre-launch skate jam events, has also won support from a host of borough businesses and Dudley Council's deputy leader - councillor Pete Lowe - plus Stourbridge MP Margot James.

The Tory MP said: "I am absolutely delighted for Gavin and his team who, through sheer hard work and dedication, have built a magnificent new skate park.

"I know the park will attract skaters from across the whole West Midlands, and I am very much looking forward to attending the official opening.”

The park will open to the public at 11am after an official VIP launch event - and skate, BMX and scooter sessions will run from 11am to 3pm and from 3pm to 7pm ahead of an all-night launch party running from 8pm to 8am on Sunday November 30.

After the launch celebrations it will be open from 10am to 10pm seven days a week.

To find out more check out http://www.unit3sixty.com/ or facebook.com/unit3sixty.