Press Release
8th December 2023
FUNDING APPROVED FOR NEW WHEELED SPORTS PARK IN WITNEY
Wheeled sports enthusiasts in Witney are set to get a NEW wheeled sports park thanks to a £57,975 grant from FCC Communities Foundation.
The money will be used to redesign and add exciting new challenges to the skatepark at The Leys Recreation Ground.
Councillor Ruth Smith, Leader of Witney Town Council believes the facility will make a huge difference to the lives of people living in the area.
She says: “This project will provide a real boost to the people of Witney. It’s fantastic that FCC Communities Foundation has awarded us this money and we’re really looking forward to our wheeled sports park taking shape over the next four months.”
FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community projects through the Landfill Communities Fund.
Penny Horne, FCC Communities Foundation grant manager, says, “We’re delighted to be supporting the Witney, Leys Wheeled Sports Park project and pleased our funding will provide such a fantastic facility for the Town. FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that make a difference to local communities and we’re really looking forward to seeing this one take shape soon.”
Wendy Davies, Commercial Director at Bendcrete, contractor for the new park build says, “Bendcrete are delighted be returning to The Leys after constructing the original park 20 years ago.
The new design will offer a fresh and exciting wheeled sports park that will be suitable for all ages, abilities, and wheel types. The new facility will retain some of the much-loved original features, as well as creating some exciting and challenging new lines.”
Phil Russell, Head of Design adds,” The park will also offer lower-level ramps for beginners and be a safe space for everyone. It is designed to be very inclusive and will help develop riders’ skills. The new design was very well received at a community consultation, and we were delighted to take their feedback into the final design.
It is an exciting time for wheeled sports with both skateboarding and BMX in the Olympics. The new wheeled sports park will offer a fantastic opportunity to develop local skills and opportunities for the local community. We are looking forward to starting the construction early in 2024.”
Councillor Ruth Smith hopes the wheeled sports park will be ready to use by Easter.
She adds, “Bendcrete has listened to the community and come up with a design that unites the old and new, and really maximises the space. Witney’s young people are talking about the designs and seem aware and expectant. Let’s see what it enables them to do!
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For further press information please contact Polly Inness 01993 777828 polly.inness@witney-tc.gov.uk
Notes for the editor
About Witney Town Council – https://www.witney-tc.gov.uk/
Witney Town Council is the third tier of local government for Witney. Established in 1974, it serves a population of more than 28,000 residents. There are six electoral wards within the town boundary and 17 elected town councillors who form the democratically elected body.
Witney Town Council declared a climate emergency in June 2019 and is committed to ensuring that the town does everything possible to become net-zero carbon neutral and to ensure a cleaner, better future for its residents.
- FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, conservation and heritage projects from funds donated by FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund and Scottish Landfill Communities Fund. Since 1998, FCC Communities Foundation has granted over £200m to more than 7,000 projects which benefit people living within 10 miles of a FCC Environment landfill site. For more information please visit www.fcccommunitiesfoundation.org.uk
- FCC Environment is the leading UK waste and resource management company and is part of a global group with a strong heritage in providing services for communities and business. Its vision is to be the environmental company of choice, delivering change for a sustainable future. It employs 2,400 people and operates more than 200 facilities across England, Scotland and Wales. FCC Environment donates the landfill tax credits that are generated by its operations to FCC Communities Foundation, in order to add value to the environmental and social infrastructure of the communities around landfill sites. www.fccenvironment.co.uk
- The Landfill Communities Fund and Scottish Landfill Communities Fund – any waste that is discarded which cannot be reused, reprocessed or recycled may ultimately be disposed of in a landfill site. To encourage the re-use, recycle and recovery of more value from waste and use more environmentally friendly methods of waste disposal, Landfill Tax is charged on each tonne of waste sent to landfill. Landfill Operators (LOs) are able to redirect a small proportion of landfill tax liability to support a wide range of community and environmental projects in the vicinity of landfill sites through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) and Scottish Landfill Communities Fund (SLCF). The LCF is regulated by ENTRUST on behalf of HM Revenue & Customs, and the projects are delivered by enrolled Environmental bodies (EBs). The SLCF is regulated by SEPA on behalf of Revenue Scotland and projects are delivered by Approved Bodies (ABs).
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