11:40am Saturday 12th December 2009
By Chris Walker
VICTORY could finally be in sight for skateboarders after a 17-year battle to build a skate park in Oxford.
The city council this week committed conditional financial support for a project to build a £400,000 concrete skate park in Meadow Lane, East Oxford, by 2011.
Oxford’s skateboarding community is head over wheels at the news as the temporary wooden skate park on the site has fallen into disrepair with just one usable ramp.
The council will stump up £50,000 if, as expected, it receives £2.2m from the Government to cover the costly national concessionary bus fare scheme for free travel to over 60s.
Jack Richens, chairman of the Oxford Wheels Project, which is fighting to build the park, said: “The funding has very much come out of the blue and is a massive boost.
“It feels like we’ve been battling against the council for so long to build this and the most important thing this shows is now there is some support from the council.
“Skating is such a vital part of East Oxford culture that it’s very important this park gets built.”
The council earmarked land in Meadow Lane for the new skate park but the site lies in the floodplain and officers are working with the Environment Agency to ensure it is safe to build there. Skaters are confident problems can be overcome but the cost could increase if flood alleviation measures are needed.
They will use the council cash to win match-funding and to kickstart applications to Sport England and the Big Lottery Fund.
Former world amateur rollerskating champion Mon Barber, who runs the SS20 skateboard shop in Cowley Road, said: “Skaters and bikers in the city welcome the decision to do this but I’ll celebrate when we have a purpose-built skate park for youngsters in Oxford.”
The temporary skate park cost £70,000 to build but needs £10,000 a year to maintain.
The new concrete park will need very little maintenance and will be split in two with one section for skate bowls and ramps and a second part featuring street obstacles.
Councillor Antonia Bance, board member for social Inclusion and young people, said: “The wheels project is incredibly deserving of this money and I’m delighted we are going to be able to help.
“The wheels project has moved mountains to keep the current skate park going but it is time to replace it.”
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