Jon Dixon, who has been heading up the Oakham Skatepark Project for over two years, has got in touch with Oakham Nub News to share his stance on the project and to clarify why he feels that Centenary Fields would be the ideal location for the facility.

This comes after another local man, Michael Payne, shared his opinion that the youth of Rutland are being let down by a lack of support and facilities. Read more HERE. 

The Oakham Skatepark Project, which has received much contestation over the past weeks despite positive feedback from over 80% of the survey responders in July 2022, would use roughly 2% of the area of Centenary Fields. Furthermore, use of the Centenary Fields location provides the 30+ meters recommended distance from the nearest homes and would require the removal of no current facilities.

With the hopes of encouraging more support on the project and clearing up some concerns from local residents, Jon shared his story, his views on the provisions for Rutland's youth, and more:

Both my sons are keen scooter riders and I've spent many hours at most of the outdoor and indoor skateparks around the area. I've got to know 'the scene' and how popular scootering (in particular) has become. My boys are into their teenage years now and becoming more independent, making that tricky transition from children to young adults. 

 Witnessing this journey has highlighted (to me at least) a shortfall in Oakham. Provision for older children and young adults seems to be lacking, we have no swimming pool or cinema, no decent youth club provision. Very little in fact for these people to do that isn't a once-a-week subscription sports activity (which are great by the way). But what about outside of that, these kids want to socialise, take part in activities, learn from their peers – that's an important part of growing up.

So, I started to look into what could be done. My youngest was briefly involved with Rutland County Council as they looked into providing a better skatepark for Oakham, but then the pandemic hit we all had bigger things to worry about. A little later I picked up the baton and contacted Oakham Town Council to see what they could do. They seemed supportive and a working group was formed. 

My whole remit for this was that it should be easily accessible and free to use. That rules out indoor facilities and 'out of town' locations. I also wanted it to be on land managed or owned by OTC as that would keep the costs realistic and maintenance affordable.

The skatepark in Cutts Close cannot be altered or amended, making it an infeasible location.

Over the next year or so the working group looked at the 4 main areas of their green spaces and the most suitable space was deemed to be Centenary Fields. It was the largest of the 4 areas, it was fairly central to Oakham, it was close to a large school, college and a supermarket. It was mainly undeveloped green space used by dog walkers and younger children etc. 

During this process I contacted the local police, skatepark builders, other parents and like-minded people who were all very supportive of the concept. OTC commissioned an Oakham wide survey, and the results were very positive. OTC also suggested we have 2 open meetings to discuss the project and any concerns or ideas people may have. 

Running in parallel to this was my Facebook group called 'The Oakham Skatepark Project' – I set this up to gauge local opinion and connect with people to discuss the project and all its various aspects. 

Now over 350 members strong I noticed a trickle of people not so keen on the idea. Of course, that's fine and I was keen to hear their views. ASB, Drugs and noise were broadly the 3 main issues. To some extent I get it – any new proposal is bound to be met with some resistance. I engaged in online discussion and debated the issues. I revised my initial proposal, to take into the considerations of people who contacted me. I looked again at CCTV options and the possibility of lighting (I should add this was just me, not OTC or the working group). The objections increased.

I looked again at other skateparks and their proximity to people's homes. Was I being unreasonable in citing the park too close to houses? My research suggested not. Was the noise actually going to be an issue? I didn't think so (concrete skateparks are actually very quiet). Would it encourage more ASB or drug abuse? Not according to the local police or the experience of neighbouring skateparks.

We had our first open meeting and around 30 local residents (mainly from a retirement village on Barleythorpe Road) turned up and explained their concerns. They were clearly angry and aggrieved. Their issues were numerous, I was genuinely surprised at how 'anti this project they were. They were accompanied by an anonymous flyer with various bizarre demands for resignations of OTC members!

Now – I could write pages dissecting all of this, but I don't think that would be fair or constructive. So, what's really going on?

Here's the issue as I see it:

The same people at meeting all said, 'We are not against a skatepark, just not on Centenary Fields – it's not a suitable space'. 

But the truth is, for all the logistical reasons Centenary Fields is a suitable space. It's large enough, it's far enough away from people's homes (way in excess of the 30m guidelines), it's central enough to town. The reality is they don't want it because they would rather keep the green space for themselves. The odd dog walker, the young families, the little kids kicking a football around. Nothing too edgy.  But the teenagers, the young adults – they are trouble. They take drugs, they participate in ASB. 

Well, some do, just as some adults do. But (as others have said) why punish everyone for the actions of a small minority. By that logic we should also exclude adults as they are the biggest perpetrators of crime – but that's clearly absurd.

Of course, they will deny all of this and cite the lack of parking, lack of toilets, the memorial status of the field etc as reasons. To me these are excuses not reasons. Why does a dog walker or a child playing football have different toilet needs to a skateboarder? Do they somehow show more respect to WWI veterans – I don't believe so. Do they have more rights to use Centenary Field? – I don't see why they should.

Have we reached a sad point in our society when people do not want a space near them used by older children and young adults? Is it just the 'Oakham Bubble' or more widespread? What message are we giving our youth – how valued do you think they feel? 

I personally think they deserve better – if you feel the same please attend our next (and last) meeting and demonstrate your support, Tuesday the 1st of November at ROL House, Long Row, Oakham LE15 6LN.

Many thanks,

Jon Dixon

The Oakham Skatepark Project

Image courtesy of Jon Dixon.

There are roughly 1600 outdoor public access skateparks in the UK, with he term 'Skatepark' actually referring to a space used by scooter riders, skateboarders, BMX riders and rollerbladers. Currently scootering is the preferred discipline. Skateboarding and BMX are Olympic sports, with scootering tipped to be added soon.

Do you agree with the addition of this facility? Do you want to share your opinion?

Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you.