New Leisure Centre Plans Abandoned
In October, 2008 it was revealed that Harrow Councils plans to demolish the park and build a new leisure centre had been abandoned. The plan was to sell land in and around the site of Harrow Leisure Centre, where the skatepark is based, to fund a new building and skatepark. However, with house prices dropping the council was unable to generate the money it needed to fund the project. A BMX rider at Harrow Skatepark, said:
"It's brilliant. I'm just absolutely over the moon. I hope it stays there for another few years and they don't say 'we've got a bit of money now, so we can knock it down'."
Harrow Councillor Marilyn Ashton has blamed the cancel of regeneration of the leisure centre on the poor condition of the housing market – and the plans may now have to be shelved until the council can raise the money. She said, “I think we could have done with another leisure centre and a brand new assembly hall."
Rio Joseph, Youth development officer of Harrow Skate Park, led the war against the new leisure centre: “Other people agree or disagree with the plans, but it ain't going to happen, not for a long time.”
Many skaters and BMX riders, past and present, disagree with Cllr Ashton's plans and believe she does not understand what she and the council would be doing if they knocked down one of only two legendary '70s concrete skateparks left in the UK to this day.
Read more about this topic: Harrow Skate Park
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