The Ventnor Skatepark Group were hoping that the next big announcement about Ventnor Skatepark would be to reveal which company would be building the new concrete park, unfortunately this update is much less positive news.
Despite continued maintenance throughout the summer to ensure the ramps could stay in use, the works team found that there were several areas that needed fixing and a decision has been made to close the ramps for safety reasons.
Team members attended the ramps yesterday (Thursday) to find that, in addition to the general repair issues, there’d been significant vandalism.
Find out how you can help.
Background about the skatepark
Anyone who has been following the Ventnor Skatepark Project will know that it really has been a labour of love for well over 15 years.
Originally set up by a group of Mums who wanted somewhere for their kids to skate, the Ventnor Skatepark group have spent year on year, fundraising and maintaining the ramps down at eastern end of the Ventnor Esplanade.
In 2015, it was decided that in order to ensure their remained a facility into the long term, the ramps would need to be replaced. In doing so the committee voted that a concrete skatepark, in line with those being built on the mainland made sense.
Since this time, the group have gained charitable status, been granted pre-planning approval for a new park, fundraised and issued tenders for the park build.
Gutting to see even more damage
John Cattle, Chair of the committee, explains,
“There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes. Unlike most other skateparks, Ventnor is solely managed by volunteers with no IW Council grants or significant financial contributions. Usually things like tenders would be drawn up by the local authorities.
“We have done all this within our small committee. We had three companies apply to build the park, all of who were impressed with the amount of work already carried out. The fact they are willing to sign up to the project without the money yet in place shows how much they want to be part of the project. The team that have been making sure the ramps can stay in use give up their time regularly. It’s gutting for them to turn up and see even more damage.”
Fundraising
Zoe Thompson, Trustee and Fundraising Manager, said,
“This puts us in a really difficult position. Within the next few weeks we are at the really exciting point of being able to confirm our partners for the build of the concrete park and begin finalising the designs.
“Having the existing ramps in use puts us in a much stronger position for gaining funding for the project. However it is unfair for the money raised by the community to have to be spent on mending damage caused by vandalism.
“It is so demoralising for all those who have spent time trying to keep the free to use facility going over all these years.”
No such thing as ramp fairies
At a recent skatepark meeting it was discussed how very little attention is given to the fact that the ramps get repaired as and when it is needed.
Members of the works team said,
“Many hours are put into keeping the ramps up together. Our volunteers all live outside of Ventnor and will travel through to do a fix up, giving up their Saturday and Sunday mornings.
“People see something that needs fixing, are happy to have a moan about it, then the next time they use the ramps it’s sorted. It’s like people think the ramp fairies just come and sort it out!”
Closing ramps a last resort
Zoe explained,
“Not only do we want the ramps to be in use but we have a responsibility to ensure they are safe. Closing the ramps is only ever a last resort. It was very worrying that when the works teamed turned up yesterday, despite signage, and obvious vandalism, they had to ask parents not to let their children onto them!
“We are asking that for the time being if parents have children who use scooters, bikes or boards, that they make sure they are not going onto the ramps. Not only could they be dangerous, but further use will cause further damage, which means they will be closed for longer.”
Down but not out
Despite this set back, the committee will continue to work on getting the ramps back open.
John said,
“We are looking at all the options, and have had a good response from people wanting to help. this is very much needed, and there is always space for people who have the skills and tools to help out.
“The big thing will be financing the repairs, we are hoping this will be achievable before we launch the main fundraising campaign for the next phase of the concrete park.
“We would like more Ventnor based people on board. We know that a lot of kids use the ramps, scooters, bikes and skaters. If you have kids that use it then get in touch and find out more. We need everyone to be part of this project.”
Find out more
For more information email [email protected] or call Zoe on 07598 133 214.
John Cattle will be down at the area on Sunday (27th August) between 12-2pm if anyone would like to speak directly about the future use of that space.
