There are hopes an Isle of Wight skatepark will re-open at some point this summer – although ‘unsafe’ ramps need to be removed first.
Ryde skatepark, on the Esplanade, has been closed for a couple of months after general wear and tear, and vandalism, causing health and safety concerns.
Ryde Town Council (RTC) which maintains the park has been trying to find the best solution, along with the users of the facility, as quickly as possible.
Existing ramps cannot be saved
The users group held an ideas session last month and after consultation determined the existing ramps cannot be saved.
They favoured the ramps being replaced by a range of concrete obstacles and something that could withstand the weather more robustly.
RTC: The ramps have become unsafe
A RTC spokesperson said,
“The skatepark is old and tired, essentially at the end of its natural life, and without significant cost the wooden ramps cannot be easily repaired.
“The ramps have become unsafe, which is why the skatepark has been closed for the last few weeks, while we work with the users’ group to find an appropriate solution.”
Engaging users
The town council said the users groups will be involved in every step of the process from the initial design to helping with the installation of the new concrete obstacles, ensuring they get exactly what they want.
The space will be left clear for the new obstacles to be put in place as soon as possible, RTC said, with the goal to have the skatepark reopened during the summer.
A meanwhile solution
A spokesperson from Wight Trash, part of the users’ group, said it was very clear there was a desire for a meanwhile solution so the park can reopen as soon as possible.
The concrete obstacles, they say, will make the site usable again while plans for a long-term solution, that lasts into the future, can be worked out.
Support for new skatepark
A full concrete skatepark could cost roughly £200,000, funded by a loan, and was supported by more than half of those who filled in RTC’s budget survey earlier this year.
Funding for the skatepark was reduced for the current year to £7,500 and the town council would look for grant funding opportunities.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: © Ryde SkatePark Users Group
