A Co Down parent has said more must be done to try and secure the future of urban sports centre Thunder Park in Bangor.
The park is facing closure on Sunday after being unable to renew an agreement to stay at the Eddie Irvine Sports Centre.
Anthony Taylor's son James, 11, uses the park to practise on his BMX and says it would be a huge loss.
Read more: Thunder Park Bangor fighting for future with deadline looming
One of the coaches at the park is BMX freestyle athlete Ryan Henderson, who is hoping to represent Ireland at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Anthony said having someone like that at the park showed the value of it as a resource.
"He was into mountain biking we realised it was just too big for him and we brought him up to Thunder Park and he met Ryan (Henderson) for the first time," said Anthony.
"Honestly, Ryan has just changed him completely, he's on a smaller little bike and he's just flying around and Ryan is his hero.
"We go twice a week and he looks forward to it and any time he asks for a present, if it's his birthday or Christmas, it's always BMX-related.
"So for him it's going to be a big loss."
The deadline to find a way of saving the park expires on Sunday March 12, which means Thunder Park could shut its doors possibly for the final time.
Anthony said the venue's impact went beyond simply teaching young people how to use a bike or scooter.
"A lot of the little kids on BMXs are quiet little ones and they really do come out of their shell when they get on the bike," he said.
"Even in the time I've been taking James there, for the last year or so, I can see kids building their confidence, they're getting better and they're even getting more confident talking to people as well.
"Not all kids like to play rugby or soccer, there are kids that don't play those sports and are crazy for their bikes and scooters.
"I just wanted people to know and understand what it means.
"Ryan is a potential Olympic athlete and he might be going over to Paris to represent Ireland, north and south and if kids see him doing that, they'll want to do it too."
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