Roll on Thame’s New Skate Park

AFTER thirteen years of use, Thame’s popular skate park is getting a much-needed revamp that will see the tired metal ramps transformed into a modern concrete park suitable for all ages and abilities.

Thame skaters gather as the sun goes down on the old Thame Skate Park, looking forward to the dawn of a new, modern concrete park in 14 weeks (Image courtesy of Tom Normington)

On Monday, July 27, Bristol-based skate park builders Wheelscape Ltd will be moving in and beginning work on the £250,000 regeneration project. The build is expected to last up to 14 weeks and will see the land at Tythrop Way excavated and re-sculpted into a destination park that will include bowls, rhythm sections and a street scene; a skateboarders dream.

Skate park users young and old came together on Sunday, July 12, to say farewell, share fond memories and to skate the ramps one last time:

“So after finishing school 12ish years ago and going up the park every night for hours on end for most of our childhoods […] the time has come to take it down and build a new park. We have all had good memories of this park and all have pushed ourselves through blood, sweat and close to tears up here, we have it all to come again! It’s been awesome.” – Chris Chivers.

Speaking on the park’s Facebook page, local skateboarder, Adam Hinton, expressed his enthusiasm for the new park and gratitude to those who have been involved in fundraising:

“Great jam today […] Will be sad to see the park go but equally can’t wait for the new one to be complete. Top work from Olly, Harry and Corin on all their hard work on the new park! Obviously a huge thank you to Jeannette Matelot Green and all the support she has given to the cause. Brilliant to see so many there today and families enjoying it.”

The Town Council, the Skate Park Working Group and the wheeled-sports users themselves have been working hard over recent years to realise this exciting project, evidencing how valued the facility is within the community. Thanks are expressed to South Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Thame Rotary, Thame Carnival and those who have made donations towards the scheme.

We look forward to the official opening of the facility later in the year. To stay updated on the progress of the build, visit our website at www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk.

SOURCE: Thame Town Council