Leader of The Oakham Skatepark Project, Jon Dixon, has written to Oakham Town Council seeking clarity upon when discussions will continue regarding the feasibility of a skatepark in Oakham.

The Oakham Skatepark Project, which has been ongoing for over two years, is a local group organised by Jon Dixon, who is passionate about providing a skatepark for the local youth (and adults who may wish to participate).

The proposal for Centenary Fields as a location was put forward by Jon in July 2022, when Rutland residents were asked 'Is Centenary Fields big enough for a Skatepark?'

Feedback from this survey was generally positive, with over 80% of responders in favour of the proposal. Much debate followed at Town Council meetings, with residents speaking both passionately for and against the proposal at Centenary Fields.

Subsequently, at a meeting hosted by Oakham Town Council at ROL House on 7 December 2022, Oakham Town Council voted against the proposal stating that "the proposed location of Centenary Fields was not a suitable location for a skatepark".

Now, Jon Dixon has written a letter to Oakham Town Council - and has shared this letter on social media - requesting when the project will be discussed by the Council.

Specifically, he has asked when the Council intend upon investigating other locations, as promised as a part of the negotiations which took place on 7 December 2022, when the Centenary Fields location was ultimately rejected.

Mr Dixon also asked Oakham Town Council to provide an update following the removal a statement from the Council Facebook page committing to the investigation of alternative locations for the skatepark.

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Image courtesy of Jon Dixon.

Mr Dixon has also shared social media communications with Oakham Town Council from 8 December 2022, in which the Council state that they are not against the proposal and "will be investigating other avenues and locations that could potentially be developed in consultation with the town and local residents".

Image courtesy of Jon Dixon.

This comes as Oakham Town Council, in meeting on 11 January 2023, voted in favour of providing £5,000 funding to erect a statue of HM Queen Elizabeth II in Rutland, and a further £5,000 to Oakham's All Saints' Church for the replacement of a stainless window.

Read more here.

Alternatively, find out more about a further £3,730 funding grant for the church, supported by Huw Edwards.

Individuals in support of the Oakham Skatepark Project have voiced their frustration at this expense on social media, deeming them "older person priorities".

What do you think?

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