Oakham Town council will, once again, look at skatepark sites in Oakham.

The skatepark will be investigated following the rejection of the Centenary Fields location in December 2022.

Oakham Town Council wants to work with the public to find a suitable location for the proposed skatepark, which caused heated debate late last year when it was up for discussion.

In December, the council rejected the idea of developing a skatepark on Centenary Field – one of multiple possible locations that had been discussed, but the only one that the working group claimed was viable.

The Oakham Skatepark was initially proposed for Centenary Fields. Image credit: Oakham Skatepark Project.

Oakham's Mayor, Cllr Sally-Anne Wadsworth was in that working group, and voted against the proposal. Find out more about the vote here.

The majority of residents appeared to be in favour of the skatepark, but some opposed the build.

Objections were raised by residents who had concerns about:

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• the loss of a designated 'green field' site
• health an safety
• noise and light pollution
• anti-social behaviour

One resident opposed to the build stated that they thought the field should be an 'adult only space'.

However, local kids and enthusiastic parents and skaters rallied, sharing their support of the build. Nonetheless, the proposal was turned down on 7 December.

Now, the council wants to find an alternative site, possibly on Royce Recreation Ground or Willow Crescent play park, both of which are managed by Oakham Town Council, or, if they are found unsuitable, to investigate other options.

Speaking to members of the full council at a meeting on Wednesday 14 June, Chairman Sally-Anne Wadsworth suggested that a new working group be formed to resolve the matter.

Since Oakham's skatepark proposal was rejected, the Oakham Skatepark Project team have considered other locations, including land in Barleythorpe. Image credit: Oakham Skatepark Project.

The Oakham Skatepark Project currently has 446 members on the Facebook page and have been campaigning for a community skate park in the town for over 2 years.

Group leader Jon Dixon shared the news on the group's social media, including the email of Cllr and Deputy Mayor, Chris Nix, who is a part of a new working group. This wishing to get involved should email: [email protected].

Members of the council agreed unanimously that a working group of four council members be created, and to report their progress back to the council in time for the July meeting.

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