TEENAGERS now have a new space to play sport and have a kickabout, and there are hopes they will also get a new skatepark.

A multi-use games area was officially opened at the Louie Memorial Playing Fields, in Arnold’s Way Botley, Oxford, on Saturday.

Sports the pitch can be used for include football, basketball, cricket and hockey.

A track also runs round the pitch and has gym equipment including pull-up bars and steps.

The £67,000 facility was paid for by Vale of White Horse District Council and The Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment.

Youngsters from nearby Matthew Arnold School dec-orated a mural to brighten it up, and enjoyed a five-a-side competition with Scouts and youth football teams.

North Hinksey Parish Council, which owns the site, will now look at adding a skate park after a skate bowl had to be closed because of vandalism.

Botley parent Emily Burgoyne said: “I think it is a very good place for children to come to because there aren’t that many places for older children and teenagers to go.”

She added: “A lot of children were hanging around the precinct in Botley because they had nowhere to go.

“Hopefully this will help, as it’s a place that is just for them.”

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood opened the facility with district councillor Val Shaw.

Miss Blackwood said: “This is a great project to have in the area, as one of the main things I’ve found when talking to people is that they think there isn’t enough for young people to do.

“The council has really listened and I hope it will make a big difference in Botley.

“It will also be especially nice for people like me to have somewhere to go and exercise without having to get all geared up and pay expensive fees.”

Parish council chairman Briony Newport said: “The parish council are pleased and proud to have this wonderful thing for the youngsters.

“I have already seen children from the ages of 11 to 18 playing together.”

Vice-chairman Steve Elliott said: “This has been a long time in the making, almost four years from its first inception.

“As with everything, it was the funding that was the most difficult part.

“But I think we were lucky with the timing – I don’t think we would have been able to build this if we were applying for it now.”

Mr Elliott said: “There is still more to come.

“A skate park is one idea that we know people want.”

The council closed an existing skateboard bowl because it could not get insurance after a stolen van was driven into it and set on fire.