YEARS of dedication have paid off as Oakley’s new skatepark was opened officially at the weekend.

Despite the pouring rain, village youngsters turned out for the opening on Saturday to celebrate their achievement in getting the skatepark built.

Many of them had been complaining that the old park was outdated and did not allow them to progress with the tricks they wanted to do. They wished they had a concrete park like some other villages they had visited.

Fife Council therefore agreed to provide almost £25,000 towards the park but the remainder would need to be raised and, in 2017, a local committee was formed.

It included young people and other members of the community and was supported by a Fife Council community education worker.

They all worked tirelessly to raise the remaining proportion of the costs.

As well as fundraising, which included sponsored walks, sponsored cycles, a 3G swing, bake sales, band nights and raffles, the group applied for numerous match-funding.

They were faced with many setbacks and delays, not least from COVID, which meant the building of the park, due to start in Spring last year, was brought to a halt.

Undaunted, the group managed to secure the extra funding in record time and the park was opened by Fife Provost Jim Leishman on Saturday.

Provost Leishman said: “The young people of Oakey and the community as a whole should be very proud of their enthusiasm and hard work.

“I’m sure they must be over the moon that the skatepark is finally finished. I’m told that it’s been super-busy ever since the last piece of concrete was dry.

“It’s just a bit unfortunate that these wet conditions mean they are not able to demonstrate their skills today.”