Already the group has raised $12,500 for the skate park, which is being planned for the old basketball court adjacent to the end of Brown's Avenue .

Committee secretary Anne Traves said having a skate park in Canowindra would have many positive benefits for local youth, including encouraging non-competitive exercise in a safe environment.

"Being a small town there's not a lot of things for them to do," she said.

"At the moment they ride on the corner here [outside the services club], but it's really not safe for them or fair on the pedestrians."

The committee has been working on the project since March 2006, and gauged local interest by circulating a petition which attracted 495 signatures.

Mrs Traves said the young people were involved in the planning and fundraising process.

"It will be just wonderful when we have it because they're doing it themselves and working on the committee to get it and I think that will make them value it more," she said.

The skating enthusiasts interviewed by the Canowindra News looked forward to having a skate park of their own, and hoped it could be as good as parks in Orange and Bondi.

Nick Willson said he wanted the adrenaline rush of big jumps, while Alicia Earsman was looking forward to having more room to move.

"At home there's not enough space to use your scooter or rollerblades, so a skate park would be good," she said.

Once the committee raises $33,000, they will put this together with $30,000 donated by Cabonne Council and then apply to the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation for a grant to make up the rest of the funding needed - a total of $132,000.

Mrs Traves said Canowindra businesses had been extremely supportive of the project.

n Results of bowls day fundraiser on page 2.