COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – Patience is finally paying off for some local skateboarders.

It’s been a long wait, but construction is now underway for columbia’s new skateboard park at owens field.

The organizer that helped get the tony hawk grant to build the park says he hopes this will get more youth off the streets and on a skateboard.

“We’re breaking ground today to what will be the first custom concrete skate park in South Carolina and set the bar for skate parks to come, and set this sight a landmark nationwide,” said Ryan Cockrell of Pour It Now.

The 15,000-square foot skate park facility is scheduled to open by March 2010, less than 200 days away.