Minister relaxed on skatepark money
Wednesday 15th April 2009, 2:29PM BST.
CULTURE and Leisure minister Mike O’Hara (pictured) expects no problems in persuading generous locals to help fund the proposed skatepark.
‘We had access to around £400,000 that was promised to us when we planned it at the BMX track back in 2005, but the board decided it could not go ahead with that plan because neighbours raised an objection,’ he said.
‘We will speak to businesses and building suppliers about support and they will come good, I am sure of it,’ he said.
He had been to visit a comparable park in Bournemouth, he said.
‘This one is going to be about twice the size of the successful one there.’
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About time.
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Lets hope that it is not another four years before something happens. Teenagers are blamed for a lot these days but i remember when i was their age, we had Beau Sejour (skating and the dungeon) the savoy on a Sunday, the Aquaurium amusement arcade as well as bumper cars etc.
There is very little for teenagers to do now and i hope that demonstrates som longer overdue support from the states, businesses and adults of the island.
Please no complaining from the neighbours you were that age once and if you buy a house near a leisure center you have to expect some disruption and noise!!!
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The skate/BMX park is a good idea however I do have one concern before such a large sum is invested.
Although I don’t claim to be an expert, I was always under the impression that the nature of “extreme sports” was pushing the limits.
If so, I wonder how long it will be until the regulars get bored of that particular challenge and move on to something else in order to push the limits further – effectively making the park obsolete?
Of course I may be wrong and I’m certainly not against the idea – facilities for young people are always welcome. I’m just wondering whether research has been done on the longevity of such a facility.
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I was recently at a presentation given to locals at BSJ by Mike O’Hara. I was extremely impressed with the plans presented. However, this article, as well as previous ones fail to mention that an entire new play area for infants/children as well as outdoor exercise equipment for adults will be incorporated into the new development.
This development will not only benefit the skate boarders but the entire community.
On recent posts by some locals there have been statements such as ‘skateboarders should pay to use the skate park’. I think these comments are very selfish and not thought through, as I don’t expect they would want to pay to use the new additional facilities that this development will bring.
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AND – thanks for the extra info – not quite sure why such important info was missed out?
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AND: As one of those commenters on the other Article, had i been aware that other facilities were available, i would have rethought my post.
In regard to Pauls Le P’s post, i was thinking about that point also. People will soon become bored of it, like the one at delancy park. Maybe make part of it ‘flexible’ ie adjust heights and gradients of ramps, change the layout, etc.
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