This weekend’s official opening of Ruddington’s new skate park has been hailed a great success by organisers – after people of all ages and abilities flocked to the special sessions arranged for its launch at Rushcliffe Country Park yesterday (Saturday 14th August).
Although the £210,000 state-of-the-art facility actually opened in June, it was decided to wait until all COVID-19 restrictions had been lifted to put on this more formal event. Beginners and more advanced boarders from Ruddington and beyond joined together from 9.30am for the sessions provided by Skate Nottingham. These included women, girls, including non-binary or LGBTQ+, with instructors on hand for guidance, and then all BMX and wheeled sports joined the jam from 11.30am.
Ruddington Skatepark was funded by Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) and supported by Skate Nottingham, Canvas Spaces, and VIA East Midlands. It’s hoped the new facility will have been money well spent – with the legacy of some great achievements by Team GB at Tokyo’s 2020 Olympics still fresh in people’s minds to inspire the next generation of British skateboarding and BMX athletes. Prizes were awarded on the day for demonstrating various wheeled skills, from beginner level through to advanced.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change Cllr Abby Brennan joined the Mayor of Rushcliffe Cllr Sue Mallender and representatives from Skate Nottingham and Canvas Spaces to cut the ribbon and officially open the park.
Cllr Brennan commented: “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 approach when designing and building the facility.”
The Mayor said: “It’s been an amazing and inclusive event, with so many people of all ages having a try at skate boarding, 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 the former wooden structure here in Ruddington (below) which was in need of refurbishment but also considered to be out-of-date. RBC developed the project alongside Skate Nottingham, science education charity Ignite! Futures and Nottingham Trent University.
{New photos courtesy of Rushcliffe Borough Council}
