‘Double set’ of good news for Thame skaters!

THAME’S skate-boarding fraternity is thoroughly ‘made up’ this week after two bits of good news mean that the long-awaited, planned renovations and replacement of worn out equipment at Thame Skate Park can now go ahead.

Jeannette Matelot Green and Corin Rea hold up the cheque, surrounded by smiling skaters

First, Thame Town Council has agreed to underwrite the remaining money needed for the work to begin, up to a maximum of £75,000. Secondly, the out-going Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, presented a cheque for of £9153 to the skaters, money she raised during her civic year for the Skatepark project, as one of her chosen charities.

Corin Rea, a local skateboarder and leading member of the Skate park Working Group said: “A big, big thank you to Jeannette and the working group, Thame Town Council, plus everyone who has contributed, fund-raised, sponsored, and generally got involved. This park is for you and everyone else for the next 50 years.”

Speaking on the Thame Skate Park Project’s Facebook page, Stephen Little posted: “ Great news. I’ve got two young lads who will hopefully make good use of the new park (as well as myself 🙂 Massive thanks to everyone involved.”

A Skate Park Working Group (SPWG) was formed in 2012 with the purpose of consulting with users, volunteers and the Council to replace the Skate Park facilities and eventually a contract was agreed for redeveloping the skate park, costing £249,997.

Financial assistance of £65,000 from Thame Town Council’s Capital Reserves was agreed by the council in April 2014, and in the same year, the group successfully bid for an SODC Capital Grant for 40% of the project cost, and £3,000 from the Chill Out fund as well as £65,000 from Oxfordshire County Council’s Inspired Facilities fund.

A grant applied for to Sport England for around £75,000 was unsuccessful.

Thame Town Council has now agreed to underwrite the remaining cost as it expects money  through Section 106 from housing development and other sources will cover much of the cost.