THE on again, off again Glen Innes skate park will finally be a reality after Glen Innes Severn Shire Council approved the project at an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday night.

After eight long years of meetings, campaigns and fundraisers that generally ended in disappointment, the project was finally given the green light by council administrator Frank Willan at the meeting, attended by about 40 concerned locals.

Addressing resident concerns of vandalism, littering, drug and alcohol abuse and security lighting at the skate park, Mr Willan said the town's young people needed such a centre, as it would help prevent them from getting involved in other unlawful activities.

"Our young people have got to have somewhere where they can enjoy themselves, because if they are skating down the street they get into trouble and if they keep getting into trouble they get used to it," he said.

"We don't want that, because that's when they become bad kids.

"The object of this meeting was to see if the kids in the community find this an acceptable location, and the many coupons that were signed and given to council were signed by kids, which is good to see."

At the meeting Mr Willan rescinded the motion to approve the skate park construction on the vacant land on the western side of the park known as Lions Park, following a petition against the location lodged by the Glen Innes Tennis Club.

The new amended location will be further north, six metres from the rear tennis courts. Adjoining paths and bridges will be built to accommodate skaters.

A total of 1372 people supported the project in writing, making it one of the biggest community consultation projects the town has seen.

Skate park supporter Josh Matthews said he and his fellow supporters were disappointed the park would not be constructed in Anzac Park, but everyone was relieved it was finally going ahead.

"It was frustrating for the first six months until council finally figured it out. The position could've been better but beggars can't be choosers," he said.

The cost of the project is estimated at about $90,000, $15,000 of that sum will come from the Glen Innes community, and council will seek a State Government grant of $50,000. The remainder would be funded by council

Cooramah Aboriginal Housing Corporation will supervise the construction of the skate park and other local businesses have indicated they would either donate materials or provide them at cost.

Mr Willan said council would now look at gathering the funds for the construction and materials for the park.