It is hoped a new skate park would provide an "inclusive and accessible" hub for people who are looking to socialise, learn and develop their skills in an Oxfordshire town.
Witney Town Council will reveal plans for the reimagined Wheeled Sports Park at the town's Leys recreation ground next week.
The new facility designed by Abingdon-based contractor Bendcrete is due to open in March 2024.
Following consultation with the community and park users, the council said the proposed park "is designed to appeal to all ages and offers challenges for differing experience and abilities".
A statement from the council said: "It doesn’t matter if your wheels are on skates, scooters, wheelchairs or boards, this is intended to be a safe, inclusive and welcoming space for our community to have fun,"
READ MORE: Oxford man on trial for attempted murder of father
Since the skate park on The Leys was opened in the early 2000s, youngsters have complained about a lack of challenging equipment to test their skills on.
The park, which features a mini ramp, flat bank, quarter pipe and funbox, is also showing severe signs of age with riders complaining cracks and holes were tripping them up and causing them to fall off.
Last year around 50 youngsters staged a 'skate jam' to call attention to the need for investment in the park.
The town council responded that it had already earmarked a budget of £100,000 towards its regeneration and was looking for sponsorship and grants to supplement it.
This March Courtside, the social enterprise behind The Coffee Shed and Premier Tennis, announced it has been awarded nearly £700,000 to develop its award-winning community café at The Leys.
It said part of the investment will be used to redesign the facility.
The design has been developed using feedback from a survey which asked skateboarders, scooter users, BMX riders and other wheeled sports participants what they would like to see.
READ MORE: Four charged over theft of gold toilet from Blenheim Palace
Witney Town Council also ran a separate survey with Make Space for Girls, a charity which campaigns for parks and public spaces to be designed with teenage girls in mind, to establish how or if girls used the skate park and other areas.
Witney Town Council said it "has listened to those who have been pushing for improved facilities and embarked on achieving as much as possible within the constraints of the space and budget".
The plans will go on display in the Corn Exchange's Gallery Room on November 14 between 6pm and 7pm when there will be an opportunity for further conversations with councillors.
Due to limited capacity in the gallery room, email info@witney-tc.gov.uk if you wish to attend.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel