New park ramps up the excitement for young skaters
£210K FACILITY OFFICIALLY OPENS – WITH PRIZES FOR BEST TRICKS
SKATEBOARDING beginners, women and girls joined together at Rushcliffe Country Park’s new skate park to have a go at the sport as part of official opening celebrations on Saturday.
The sessions were provided by Skate Nottingham, with instructors on hand for guidance, with BMX riders and other wheeled sports joining the jam from 11.30am.
The £210,000 skate park opened in June, perfectly timed to capture the legacy of achievements of Team GB’S skateboarding and BMX athletes at the Tokyo’s 2020 Olympics.
The skate park was funded by Rushcliffe Borough Council and supported by Skate Nottingham, Canvas Spaces, and VIA East Midlands.
Prizes were awarded for various achievements, from beginners to advanced.
The council’s portfolio holder for communities and climate change Councillor Abby Brennan joined Mayor of Rushcliffe Councillor Sue Mallender and representatives from Skate Nottingham and Canvas Spaces to cut the ribbon and officially open the park.
Councillor Brennan said: “It was absolutely brilliant to see so many beginners, women and girls join together to enjoy this fantastic new facility and I even had a go myself.
“We’d like to thank Skate Nottingham for providing the coaching and guidance sessions which gave younger and older skaters alike a chance to have a go at the sport.
“The reactions to the park have been really positive, highlighting our collaborative pproach when designing and building the facility.”
Councillor Mallender said: “It’s been an amazing and inclusive event with so many people of all ages having a go, inspired by the achievements of thirteen-year-old Sky Brown at Tokyo 2020.
“It was really great to see all having a fabulous time enjoying the new skate park, which is a fantastic addition to Rushcliffe Country Park and we hope it will be enjoyed by all for years to come.”
The facility replaced a wooden structure which was in need of refurbishment and the council developed the project alongside Skate Nottingham, science education charity Ignite! Futures and Nottingham Trent University.
Sky Brown won bronze at Tokyo 2020 in the women’s park event, becoming Britain’s youngest ever Olympics medal winner at the age of 13. In the BMX events, Charlotte Worthington won gold in the women’s park, with Declan Brooks taking bronze in the men’s category.