“We need bigger skateparks, better facilities…we just need to go bigger and better!” Marc Churchill, BBC Olympic Reporter and Professional Skateboarder
You have to have a heart of concrete not to be awed and inspired by the performances of the Olympian skateboarders and BMX riders in Tokyo this year. (And if you haven’t caught up with it yet, it’s well worth a watch!) Not only are their feats of athleticism absolutely breathtaking, but the camaraderie and support between competitors is unlike any other sport you’ll see. Don’t get us wrong, these people are here to win – but they ensure that everyone has the best time along the way too.
It’s this spirit of friendship and generosity that is powering the efforts of Riding and Skating Ely (R.A.S.E). This group of young community-minded individuals are moving forward with their determination to provide Ely and the surrounding area the skatepark and BMX Track it deserves.
The RASE. Committee consists of 8 members including local Councillors and young people, and an award winning architect, Margherita Cesca Nelder-Haynes. RASE are currently at the pre-application stage, (pre-application advice is provided by planning officers employed by the council, which outlines how they are likely to determine any subsequent planning application, and any changes that are likely to be needed, if any, to give the scheme the best chance of being granted a planning permission).
The group have undertaken an on line petition which has gathered 1,344 signatures indicating strong local support for this project and have given a presentation to the Council too.
We all know that the population in Ely is rapidly increasing. But at the same time, we’re seeing services for young people cut and access to activities significantly reduced. This has left many young people with no other choice than to kick about the streets or stay stuck at home in front of screens.
According to Cambridgeshire Insight the current population of Ely is 21,646. In each of the 4 areas of Ely there are between 14% and 24.3% of the population aged between 0-15 years – that’s a fifth of the population of Ely.
Looking at the East Cambridgeshire District Council Play Audit of 2012-2013, there is a deficit of play facilities for the ages of 6-12 and 13 to 18 age groups. Although Ely’s play areas cater for toddlers, the audit identifies significant shortfalls in provision for juniors and youths.
The figures, published in the latest Active Lives Children and Young People Survey covering the 2019/ 20 academic year show that over 50% of children and young people are not meeting the minimum recommended amount of physical activity. This will have a significant impact on their physical health and mental wellbeing.
The proposed plans make use of land at the Country Park which is severely neglected. The architect is known for her environmentally-friendly designing and this will be central to the planning process. Of course, the designs will ensure the space is accessible for everyone – dog-walkers and joggers as well as those using the skatepark – and nature will be encouraged to thrive all around.
Over the last month Great Britain has won Gold and Silver medals in BMX racing and Gold and Silver in BMX freestyle. We’ve also been introduced to the incredible skateboarder Sky Brown who, at 13 years old, has become Britain’s youngest Olympian. Just as Tom Daley couldn’t have become a champion without access to a pool, our young riders and skaters need access to a skatepark. We know that we’ve got talent in the country, and in our community, so it’s time to take it seriously and nurture it’s growth, right?
Prress release from Riding and Skating Ely (R.A.S.E)
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