Skate Park Celebration
Ashford’s refurbished
skate park has been officially dedicated to Ryan Clements, keen
local skateboarder and regular user of the park who tragically
drowned last year.
Ryan’s mother Mrs Louise Clements, the Mayor
of Ashford Cllr Rita Hawes and members of the Ashford Skate Park
Foundation were among the guests at the event on Wednesday (July
18).
The event also served as a celebration of
the hard work put in by the foundation, made up of skate park
users, who managed to secure funding for the £110k project.
Supported by Ashford Borough Council and
Kent County Council skate park users and Sk8side officers
formed the foundation and successfully bid for £70,000 from the
county’s Youth Capital Fund with Ashford and £30,000 from Ashford
Borough Council.
The project has expanded the skate park,
providing new and refurbished ramps and other equipment, new
seating, landscaping and a new graffiti wall.
The naming of the skate park was agreed by
Ryan’s family and friends in conjunction with the Ashford Skate
Park Foundation.
Members of the foundation were presented
with certificates of achievement at the event and the Mayor
unveiled the skate parks new signs.
After the formalities the new facilities
were put through their paces with skateboard and BMX
demonstrations.
Mrs Clements said: “I really appreciate the
skate park being dedicated to Ryan. It’s nice that he will be
remembered at the place where he spent so much time and loved to
be.”
Alex Roberts from the Ashford Skate Park
Foundation said: “The foundation has worked hard to find the funds
for the refurbishment and aims to make the skate park a safe place
for everyone to use.”
Cllr Gerry Clarkson, portfolio holder for
cultural services said: “It is now widely recognised that
young people have a greater sense of ownership of services and
facilities if they can been directly involved. The formation of the
Ashford Skate Park Foundation and their work to get the funding for
the refurbishment is proof of this.”
“It is also yet another example of how young
people are willing and able to work to make a difference to their
neighbourhoods and the wider community. “
“The expanded park will go towards meeting
the aspirations of local young people to see more facilities for
them.”
The skate park is the borough’s most popular
youth facility, located next to the Stour Centre in Tannery Lane
opened in autumn 2000 and was extended a year later to include BMX
ramps.
Media Release 0236/07
20/07/07