Thanks to Simon for this news he heard on IW Radio today …
Ryde Skate Park ‘set to be dismantled’
The future of Ryde Skate Park is looking uncertain. The facility – which is behind LA Bowl – is currently locked as it’s deemed unsafe because many ramps are loose. The annual insurance is also about to expire. Ryde’s Development Trust and the Skate Park Users Group met on Tuesday night to see if a solution could be drawn up to save the park. But members acknowledged they cannot pay for the £2,000 a year insurance and it’s likely the ramps will be removed by the end of the month.
Surely IW council should be stepping in here to save the skate park? Every time I’ve been past, it is always busy there. Where will the skaters go if it’s closed … up and down the esplanade?
Places like skate parks keep the kids off the streets and doing something constructive, with rumours of funding for youth clubs being cut, this looks likely to be another nail in the coffin for the youth of the island. Maybe someone from the youth council might be able to lobby the council on this.
Let VentnorBlog know if you have more news on this issue or feel free to comment on the forum.
