In July Rye Town Council gave the go ahead for a phased refurbishment of the Rye skate park, after much deliberation and a huge amount of work by the town clerk, Richard Farhall, getting quotes for various schemes from professional, and fully insured, specialist skate park manufacturers and installers for the highest standards of safety for users.
The council voted to refurbish and reopen the facility, which was first opened in 2005, so it can provide a base for today’s and tomorrow’s skateboarders and BMX riders to practice and hone their skills. Rye Town Council is investing in both the current and future generations of youth in Rye, with a facility that is open 24/7, 365 days a year.
Some people have, reasonably, questioned the usage of the skate park, but a councillor says he conducted an extensive survey four years ago which revealed it was much appreciated and used facility among the youth of Rye, which has been echoed by former riders including the Rye Town Steward Nicky Ledger. Dan Lacey, the thirty-something year old professional BMX rider with a global reputation, was born in Rye, and rode a BMX bike on the Rye skate park from as soon as it was built. Ride UK BMX says: “Right now, Dan is universally regarded as one of best and most progressive Street riders around.”
Nicky adds: “I was part of the original group of young local residents that met with Rye Town Council 20 odd years ago to discuss having the skate park built in Rye. At the time, we sat down as a group and gave our ideas on the design. As soon as it was built, we were down there using it, as well as watching Dan (Lacey) do things on a BMX that still to this day would be considered incredible. Now, over 20 years later, we have set out to do the same thing again for the next generation. We are having to take in to account the increased rainfall we now get (so a change to the skatelite surface is the best option to prevent constant repairs being required), the age range of the current users, as well as whether they will be using a BMX, skateboard, rollerblades or a scooter.
“This first phase of repairs is an important step to more changes being made in the near future and I think it’s going to be a fantastic little park for anyone of any age who wants to go down there to have a go. Being part of this process for the next generation really means a lot to me.”
Another local who grew up riding the skate park on his BMX, Jack Scriven, says: “I agree with the new style of surface choice for the park and look forward to some new changes being made to the design. The current design has been great but it’s around 20 years old now and some changes will attract new people. If using skatelite will mean less maintenance costs and the park gets to stay open then I’m all for it. I want the park to be around for people to use in the future. The skate park was built when I was seven years old and I lived on New Road so the park became my second home. I met so many new people and have so many great memories. Still to this day me and some mates will meet at the park occasionally and reminisce. It’s just great to know we’re going to be able to share the skate park that me and my mates used as a kid in to adulthood with our own kids.”
Stephen Cooper, the current chairman of Rye Rugby Club, adds: “I can remember when, after years of pushing, we finally got the skate park we’d been begging to be built and it was glorious. To finally have a park that didn’t involve travelling at least a half hour drive in either direction was a gamechanger. I’ve met some of my best friends randomly through Rye skate park and have had some of the most enjoyable times of my life down there. I’ve been using the park on and off since it was first built and I will continue to do so for many years to come.”
While work on the refurbishment of Rye skate park will start soon, it is worth noting that both skateboarding and BMX feature in the 2024 Olympics which kicked off in Paris last weekend, with the men’s street skateboarding qualifiers and final on the Saturday and the women’s event last Sunday.
Maybe Britain’s future Olympians will be introduced to skateboarding and BMX at the Rye skate park in the years to come, but hundreds and thousands of kids will now get a chance to take up and enjoy an enduring and edgy sport.
Image Credits: Andy Stuart , James Stewart .
When is the work due to start and how long will it take? It seems such a shame that school holidays are here and it’s not a facility that can be used by our youths.
Will the mayor let us have more details of the refurbishment please, covering the timing, cost and works of each planned phase so we can see what will be ready for use and when? Hopefully some elements can be brought back to use fairly quickly.
It’ll be great to see it in action again! We should be very proud of our play park and open spaces around the Town. I often hear people at the lookout on East Cliff saying how lovely this town must be to live in.
Work should start this month. The company providing the new tarmac base is visiting the site with Fearless ramps w/c 5 August. No definite dates yet. Phase 1 is the renewal of the tarmac base, modifications and addition of Skatelite to the half pipe and hips – then repairing the equipment remaining to make it safe.