Those behind a popular Isle of Wight skatepark will be exploring options at an ‘ideas’ meeting next month, as hopes build to re-open the park again soon.
The skatepark on Ryde Esplanade closed earlier this year due to what Ryde Town Council called vandalism, but Ryde Skatepark Users Group called wear and tear. Extensive repairs are said to be needed but what to do in the short term and in the long run, is still to be discussed.
Ryde Town Council (RTC) leases the skatepark from the Isle of Wight Council on a peppercorn rent but has to pay for all the repairs and maintenance. A budget for repairs has been set aside in the short term, a RTC spokesperson said but in the longer term, other options are being explored including upgrading to a larger concrete facility.
The spokesperson said they have found the current wooden structure does not fare well with the salty air. The funding for the skatepark repairs has been halved in recent months — to £7,500 —while the future is being deliberated.
Larger projects would likely be financed through grant funding or other cash streams, as it is estimated a concrete facility could cost more than £200,000. To find out exactly what the future holds for the facility, the Ryde Skatepark Users Group is holding an ‘ideas’ meeting on Sunday 14th May from 12:00 to 15:00 at Craft on Ryde Esplanade.
RTC has held back on starting the repairs, the spokesperson said, until after the user group has had this meeting, at the request of the group.
The spokesperson said:
“We agreed with this request as their feedback is vital to ensure any replacement features in the skatepark are suitable for all users.”
Article continues below this advertisement
The user group has recently criticised the lack of investment in the skatepark in the past 10 years but hopes with a small amount of funding they have been able to source and the budget from RTC, the worst ramps could be removed.
They hope the skatepark will be open for the summer with some new and fun obstacles.
Sell it to a private concern, IF it is popular then people will pay to use it.
IF as like anything the council run, it is just a costly for a ‘few’ pleasure then why should WE pay for their ‘hobby’ choice.
So sell it or close it.
You could say the same for any kiddies play park I suppose. Want to privatise those too?
They have playgrounds at school and most have gardens, and if living in a flat, then use contraception IF YOU can’t afford to rent or buy a home.
Don’t burden others with your choice.
You wouldn’t have a dog if living in a flat so don’t have kids UNTIL you can afford to fund them fully.
You know the kids you are bleating about are likely to be the ones wiping sh*t off your geriatric senile backside when you are in a care home, right.
Aren’t you a little ray of sunshine!
Plenty of public places where they can enjoy their “hobby”.
The question is would you rather them in those places or in a skate park.