RESIDENTS are to be asked if they want a replacement skate bowl for the damaged Botley Bowl.

North Hinksey Parish Council is to send out a questionnaire to everyone in the parish asking if they want to replace the popular facility.

The Botley Bowl in Louie Memorial Playing Fields was ruled unsafe and filled in after thieves pushed a stolen van into it and set it alight.

Parish clerk Alan Stone said the questionnaire would also go to Matthew Arnold School and Botley and North Hinksey primary schools.

Eric Batts, of the council’s recreation and amenities committee, said it would be included in the annual parish newsletter to be sent out next month.

He said: “The Botley Bowl was a significant loss and it was used by a lot of people. But the loss has given us the opportunity to improve the facility.

“Once we have got the results back we will ask if anyone wants to be involved in a working group. Then we will look at design, location and grant applications.

“But until we get the results back we are not committing to anything. We want to make sure we have the majority of support from the community.”

Mon Barbour, 42, who runs the SS20 skateboard shop in Cowley Road, co-designed the Botley Bowl, which opened in 1991.

The former amateur rollerskating world champion said he would be happy to help design a new facility.

He said: “It is badly missed and it would be great if they could build something. But if they build it I hope it is not a generic playground skate park.

“The bowl was known to skaters throughout the country as it was so unique.

“But it is encouraging they are doing a questionnaire and it will be interesting to see the results. I am more than willing to help out."