UPGRADES including floodlights, drinking fountains and accessible toilets are planned for the Les Quennevais skatepark, with planning for a new St Helier facility ‘continuing’.
Assistant Economic Development Minister Lucy Stephenson, who has political responsibility for sport, said that the wood chippings at the park would be replaced with artificial grass, after a number of respondents to a government survey said that the wood got caught in skateboard wheels.
She added that the government was currently liaising with a number of artificial-grass suppliers.
Updates to the pavilion area were planned ahead of the survey, Deputy Stephenson added, with an accessible toilet, a baby-changing facility and a water filling station set to be installed.
A changing room is also due to be converted into a community space and base for Skateboard Jersey, while floodlights are to be built on the site during the course of this year.
In a survey, which attracted 520 responses from skatepark users, the government found that 89% of people view the park as ‘a welcoming place’ and 89% said they were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the size and layout of the park.
One respondent said: ‘The skatepark is fantastic, better than many parks we have been to in the UK and France. It has been amazing for the community and has given many kids and adults a space to do a sport they love. You cannot underestimate the mentalhealth benefits this park has provided.’
The Les Quennevais skatepark was opened earlier this year and is described by Skateboard GB as the largest in the British Isles.
The government has previously indicated that the Les Quennevais facility would be the first in the Island, with other satellite skateparks planned.
Deputy Stephenson said work on other parks was ‘continuing’ and said that there was a ‘clear need’ for one in St Helier.
She added: ‘It’s a really great example of government and the community working together for something really positive.
‘I encourage people to share their feedback with us as well as keep enjoying the Les Quennevais skatepark and keep it the friendly and welcoming place that so many people feel that it is right now.’
