After a year with their ramps in the back car park of the Island Bowl, the Guernsey Xtreme Sports Association has to move again – in just a fortnight. GXSA member P J De La Mare ponders the move while Jack Saunders takes air. (Picture by Pete Frankland, 0750336)
THE Guernsey Xtreme Sports Association is looking for a new site for its temporary skatepark.
Its ramps have been behind the Island Bowl for the past year but now the car park is needed for events such as the Muratti.
‘We are very grateful to Harry O’Neil, manager of the Island Bowl, for all his support,’ said GXSA chairman Mike O’Hara.
‘However, all things must come to an end and the Island Bowl needs the car park.’
The GXSA has just two weeks to quit. ‘If we cannot find a home for all sections of the skatepark, then we will have no option but to dismantle it,’ said PJ De La Mare of the GXSA, who said people used the ramps all year round. ‘This would be a great pity as it provides such an enjoyable facility. We’re ideally looking for a tarmac or concrete site which is solid and level.
‘We can have half at one site and half at another – it doesn’t necessarily need to be together.’
This is the third time the GXSA has had to move to a temporary home. A permanent site also remains a way off.
‘Every time we dismantle and move the park, it costs £5,000,’ said Deputy O’Hara, ‘so really we are looking for a temporary spot we could use for 12 months.’
Deputy O’Hara has invited people to the skatepark to see how it is used and what housing it would involve.
‘If anyone thinks they know a good location, please pop down and make suggestions,’ said Deputy O’Hara.
‘Plans for a permanent skatepark are with the Environment Department. We are hopeful that the details will be acceptable to Environment, which will then allow us to pursue a fund-raising campaign to make the park a reality,’ said Deputy O’Hara.
To offer or suggest a site, contact PJ De La Mare on 07781 434484 or Deputy O’Hara on 07781 100150.
Article posted on 2nd April, 2009 - 2.29pm
3 Article Comments
Amazing…
Yesterday the headline is concern about 300 kids with low self esteem and no direction who are taking drugs and the next day people are taking away much needed facilities for people to have an active and rewarding hobby.
Organised sport is more than catered for over here – alternative sports should be better supported to encourage those who may be turned off by mainstream sport (e.g. football etc).
To turn it back into a car park is pretty mean and shortsighted.
Take away facilities and people make their own entertainment…
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Pleinmont: How is it mean of the bowl taking back what is rightfully theirs? They have been excellent allowing the ramps to take up most of their car park all this time. And when events such as the muratti are over, the ramps may be able to go back. I applaud the Bowl in helping these people by providing a place for their ramps for so long, and i hope they find another suitable venue soon.
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Well said Gsygal but they need a permanent place for these youngsters good luck to them finding somewhere.
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