THE building of a long-awaited skatepark in Monmouth is expected to start in the next few weeks. The new skatepark will be built on land opposite Monmouth fire station and ambulance station to the east of Rockfield Road following five years of tireless fundraising and campaigning from Monmouth Off Street Project (MOSP). The cost of construction will be covered by £100,000 of Section 106 monies – levies placed on housing developments – alongside money raised in the community. In May, Monmouth's Waitrose store selected the project to benefit from the Community Matters Green Tokens Fund, and MOSP was awarded £368. In August, Monmouth Police station held a barbecue and open day with all proceeds donated to MOSP. As a result, £125.67 was awarded to the group. The Green Dragon Inn recently held a popular quiz nights, and along with a draw on the night, £185 raised was donated to the project. Shirley Hughes from adventa, who has been working with MOSP since its formation in 2010, said: "We are indebted to all the local support the project has received in recent months which all adds to our building fund. "I'm absolutely delighted that after nearly five years we can see a light at the end of the tunnel and the skatepark will go ahead. "Following the planning permission being agreed in September, we hope that the building work will commence in the next few weeks, which is really exciting not only for the members of the project, but for all the young people from the Monmouth area who will be able to use this state of the art facility. "Those who have experienced our previous, mouth-watering fundraisers will most certainly want to be at this one. "Homemade cakes and fresh coffee or tea will be served at our coffee morning on Saturday 11th October from 10am until midday at Monmouth Priory, Priory Street." MOSP is a community group formed several years ago, with the aim to provide a new skatepark and BMX pumptrack for the young people of Monmouth. The group is made up of young people, local businesses and interested agencies, including Monmouth neighbourhood police, Monmouth Rotary, adventa and Monmouthshire County Council.