The centre of the Tal-Qroqq circus, on top of the Regional Road tunnel, will be developed into a skating park, apart from offering other recreational activities.

The area is already used by skaters but the Lm100,000 (€232,937) project will create facilities for BMX riders, an area of recreation for University students and a place of rest for residents in the area.

There will also be an area where graffiti artists can practise their art.

The project was launched yesterday by Environment Minister George Pullicino and the Parliamentary Secretary for Finance, Tonio Fenech.

Mr Pullicino said the facilities for skating, a relatively new sport which is very popular among young people, would contribute to the further development of the sport in Malta. In fact, he added, interest had already been shown for the park to be used for international skating activities.

Work on the new park, an undertaking by the Environmental Landscaping Consortium, is expected to start in a few days. Its maintenance will also be the responsibility of the ELC.

Mr Fenech said the project will be partly financed by funds derived from the Ministry of Finance's National Lotteries Good Causes Fund.

The skating park, he added, complemented other projects financed by the Good Causes Fund which are aimed at improving the infrastructure for sport.

The government is inviting feedback from sports organisations and the public in an effort to stir a debate on the project.