East Cowes Town Council have secured Public Works funding for two major projects in the town. The first is the total refurbishment of the 60-year-old Esplanade toilets and the second brings an end to a ten-year campaign to replace the dated East Cowes skatepark.
The public toilets on the Esplanade, which are more than 60 years old, will undergo a major refurbishment project, both inside and out. East Cowes Town Council has said the toilet block is in ‘extremely poor condition’ and has been ‘deteriorating for some time, requiring urgent action to be taken’.
The Council will now be working towards providing a high-quality facility, which will include an external shower, and which will serve the public for many years to come.
Reardon: Providing a modern, clean facility for everyone
The Mayor, Councillor Tracy Reardon, said,
“The Esplanade is a much loved and well used community asset, which is used all year round by residents and visitors alike. The Town Council have continued to make many improvements to the area since taking on the leasehold from the IW Council, and we want to ensure that the public toilets complement that, and provide a modern, clean facility for everyone. The Public Works funding will enable us to do that.”
Reardon: It has been a long time coming
Councillor Reardon said,
“We are fortunate to be working with the Island’s leading skatepark professionals, Zoe and John, to provide a new and exciting experience for all users of the skatepark.
“It has been a long time coming, and we are very grateful to all the users who have been involved in the project from the outset. We are so happy that this funding will enable us to finally deliver the project.”
Thompson: The first modern purpose built full concrete facility
Zoe Thompson, Manager/Director of John Cattle’s Skate Club said,
“This is a really exciting time for East Cowes, and we are very pleased to be working in partnership with the town council who have shown such commitment to the skatepark project.
“This investment will bring to the Island the first modern purpose built full concrete facility in recent times. We have a very keen local user group of young people who we will be working with so they can help shape the new development.
“To know that the children involved now will be able to continue to use this facility into their adulthood is fantastic.”
Cattle: It’s going to be rad
John Cattle founder of skate club and Wight Trash added,
“From the community consultations over the last couple of years, we know that people are desperate for an improved skatepark in East Cowes, now we’re well on our way to being able to build something which will attract new users, allow for progression and have a layout that will offer something different to other areas of the Island, it’s going to be rad.”
News shared by Sue on behalf of East Cowes Town Council. Ed
