REDDITCH Skatepark has officially opened, to the delight of riders, following a three-month delay.
A revamp of the site was agreed in 2021, when a new, 12-year lease was issued on it.
The lease agreement, between Redditch Borough Council and the Redditch Wheels Project, released £21,000 from the Sport England Community Asset Fund, with match-funding supplied by the Margaret Westwood Trust (£10,000) and the Co-Op Community Fund (£4,600).
The skate park development was intended to bring the 25-year-old venue up to date and, in 2021, the site’s owners said they would use modern materials but keep the layout of the park to a traditional format.
The Standard reported, in April, the opening of the revamped site had been pushed back after Redditch Wheels Project, which is leading the development, revealed issues with materials and costs.
Since then, the group has said it was working hard to ensure the park reopened as soon as possible.
Steve Rooke and Rob Scriven, from the project, said they had been blown away by the support shown by the community.
Steve said: “The opening was announced at very short notice and the speed at which news spread was amazing. One hundred and sixty people signed in across the day to use the skatepark and we believe we must have had 250 total visitors, if not more across the day, uniting in their support of this project.
“The local economy was boosted as people came in and out, using the Goose public house and local shops and takeaways for food and drinks.”
The reopening was a community celebration, with charity Bound Together community interest company supporting the ceremony.
Kian Owen – aged 11 and the charity’s photographer – spent the day at the skatepark and took several action shots. Kian’s ambition is to photograph high-speed motor cars and extreme sports.
Alison Osborne from Bound Together said: “As a community, we must ensure these wonderful hearts of our community are supported, celebrated and assisted.
“We really hope, by coming together, we inspire our community and others to look for solutions, not problems, and have the agency to action them for themselves, with support and assistance from our council.
“Both of our projects have been supported and empowered by officers and councillors, over time, and we appreciate the support and agency they offer us to create a better future for our residents.”
The skatepark is open from 12pm until dusk on weekends and during the school holidays, and from 6pm until dusk on weekdays.
Visit redditchwheelsproject.co.uk for more information.
