Thatcham skatepark group given £6,000 towards revamp

Youngsters will need to raise the rest of the £30,500 needed for Dunstan Green skatepark redevelopment

THATCHAM'S skatepark project group is to receive a £6,000 grant from the town council to rebuild the skatepark – but only if they can raise the rest of the money needed, £30,500.

The skatepark user group, made up of 12- to 15-year-olds, said that it had been monitoring use of the park and, at weekends, up to 40 children would be there at any one time, and about 25 children would use it on weekdays.

The group said that the high usage had damaged the facility and it was now in need of replacing.

After discussion with other park users, the group contacted three companies to help draw up designs.

The preferred design was picked to withstand high usage and extreme weather conditions, was fire resistant and made from easily-replaced materials.

Referring to scooter users being banned from the new skate park in Victoria Park, Newbury, one parent involved in the project, Paula McAuley, said: “We are going to make it very clear that we want it for all users – we don't want to ban anybody.

“It was the cheapest design and there are a lot of extras we can add in.”

She said that they aimed to have the project completed by the start of next year's summer holidays, if funds were raised by then.

The group is now working with community outreach worker from Empowering West Berkshire, Sharon Briggs, to raise the funds needed.

It was unanimously agreed by the recreation and amenities committee of Thatcham Town Council on Monday evening to grant the group £6,000.

This will come out of the council's capital fund, of which there is currently just under £14,500 left in the pot, to be used by the end of the financial year.

It has also been agreed by the town council that the skatepark would be renamed Jubilee Skate Park, in recognition of the Queen's Golden Jubilee in June 2012.