Ramps may go to back of the Bowl

By Gemma Hockey

THE Bowl in Victoria Avenue could become home to a temporary skate park.

The Guernsey Xtreme Sports Association has applied to Environment to erect part of the skate park, built by Turx Custom Workshop for LibJam last year, at the facility.

Association member P.J. de la Mare said the fixture would be a vital but temporary one.

‘It will be the same equipment that we had at the Grammar School in the summer,’ he said.

He said a permanent facility was being sought.

‘To have this intermediate facility is important. We use the park at Delancey Park. It’s great, it’s something, but now we need to provide more. We’ve been trying to find somewhere for the kids for about 20 years now. We definitely need something more permanent,’ he said.

He would not reveal where the permanent facility might be.

The ramps, about the size of a netball court, are currently being stored at the KGV playing fields.

Mr de la Mare, a former skateboarder, said the equipment would be placed, if approved by the department, at the back of the building.

He said the location would not be obtrusive to neighbours.

‘It’s quite out of the way and it will only be a temporary structure from March till October. It will be great to get it up there to keep the awareness going and we want to keep it in the public eye so that kids can use it.

‘What we have to do now is wait to see what Environment has to say.’

He said that should the department agree to the application, the association intends to hold island events and competitions at the park.

‘There are a number of events we want to put on in the summer and we are hoping to set up a few challenges with Jersey also.’

The BMX and skate park was built last year for the Liberation Day LibJam event, which attracted hundreds of skaters and BMX riders. A campaign was launched to find a permanent facility.

The Bowl general manager Harry O’Neill said he supported the association’s application. ‘This is a very worthwhile project and I look forward to seeing the youngsters enjoying themselves and displaying their skills in the skatepark.’