Upgrades Planned For Rookley Skatepark With £3,000 Repairs On The Table

Upgrades and repairs costing around £3,000 could soon be carried out at a skatepark on the Isle of Wight.

John Cattle, of Wight Trash, outlined his vision for Rookley Skatepark at a Rookley Parish Council meeting on April 1.

The plans aim to create a space suitable for beginners while still offering enough challenge for more experienced riders.

Proposed improvements include extending the park’s concrete base, repairing cracks and brickwork, and installing ramps, kerbs and a platform.

Mr Cattle said upgrading the park would encourage people to get outdoors and socialise, helping them get “off the Xboxes”, while also supporting relaxation and friendship-building.

The East Cowes-based skateboard teacher owns both Wight Trash and John Cattle’s Skate Club C.I.C, a school which teaches around 400 students each week, specialising in children and adults with additional needs.

Mr Cattle, now 52, has skated since he was 13.

He said:

“It’s a good activity whether its bikes, boards, scooters or whatever.

"You’re being creative, you’re challenging yourself.

“Usually, I just want something that beginners can use but professionals can enjoy as well. Everywhere on the Island, everything’s six foot high or just ridiculously scary for young people to get started.

“Somewhere like this, nothing’s bigger than three or four foot. If you go to somewhere like Sandown or Cowes, things are quite big there and it’s outdated technology.

"It's metal ramps that rust…concrete, you do it once and you don’t have to do it again.”

Rookley Parish Council currently has responsibility for the skatepark, while the Rookley Village Association owns the land it sits on.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands the work could be funded through a combination of parish council money and donations.

Parish clerk Sally Woods said the next steps include finalising costs and seeking permission from the Rookley Village Association.

“If we can get a decision made in May and then we can give him the go-ahead for hopefully works to be done in June,” she said.