The sky’s the limit for Thame’s new skate park

Harry King demonstrates his BMX skills at the opening of the new Thame Skate Park

IT takes more than a drop of rain to dampen the spirits of Thame’s skaters and BMX bikers, especially if the promise of a brand new, state of the art Skate Park, the fruits of years of fund raising and planning, is in the offing.

On Saturday, November 14, the Mayor of Thame, Nichola Dixon officially cut the ribbon to launch the new facility, and after the speeches and thanks to all who had made it happen, the town council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Thame Rotary, Thame Carnival, ex Mayor Jeannette Matelot Green and others who have made donations towards the scheme, the Mayor bravely borrowed a bike and tested out the slopes for herself!

Raising the £250,000 funding for the new skate park has been driven by three young men, Corin Rea, Olly Ross and Harry King.

The Mayor told those assembled for the opening: “This is amazing for town. It has taken so much dedication from all those involved. It’s going to be such a great place for young people to meet and get involved.”

Harry King (L) Jeannette Matelot Green & Corin Rae

Corin Rea, who Chaired the Skate Park Working Group, was ecstatic and speaking to a local TV station, said: “I cannot believe that after five years of hard work, we are finally here! Thame already has a fantastic community built around the Skate Park. What we have done is taken everyone’s ideas on board and come up with, what will be a national skate park destination. It’s amazing!”

The feelings of those who will be flocking to use the skate park are expressed in the comments on the Skate Park’s Facebook page LINK HERE

The Mayor of Thame, Nichola Dixon tries out the skate park for herself!

“This looks super sick, hyped to come skate it!”

“Place is too good, was fully rammed all day. I just watched, all a bit overwhelming! Ha ha. Need to chip of the rust and get on it.”

The fund-raising will carry on. Next on the agenda, is a push to raise money to provide lighting at the skate park, to extend the hours when it can be made use of.

One again, the people of Thame have pulled together to raise the bar in sporting and cultural activities for all sections of the community.