Penny Lochhead, director of PMR Leisure, which has been employed as consultants for the project, said that the park’s ranking was based on factors such as how close the skatepark would be to housing as well as how attractive the site was to the skating, BMX and scooter community.
The other sites being considered are Jardins de la Mer and Les Quennevais playing fields.
One JEP reader, who wished to remain anonymous, suggested that the new skatepark should be covered to allow people to use it all year round.
She said: ‘As a mother to two sons who have enjoyed skateboarding for the past ten years, I would urge the States of Jersey to listen to the kids when it comes to the design of the new skatepark. We live in a very wet climate with long wet winters, which are not conducive to skateboarding. You cannot skate on a wet surface as it damages the board, the trucks and the bearings.
‘For goodness sake, go the extra mile and get it covered. An indoor skatepark is the only way to go. Please get it right this time.’
In response, Ms Lochhead said that although an indoor skatepark had been considered while the report was being written, it was not financially viable.
‘We absolutely considered the possibility of building an indoor skatepark, but a covered or indoor skatepark would need to be staffed, meaning there would be an entrance fee which in many cases would be prohibitive to a lot of skateboarders. And this would add to the risk of the skatepark going out of business. As it stands we found it is best to have a free and open skatepark that’s open all year round, weather depending.’
According to the report the next steps include discussing the cost of a site and agreeing on the funding needed, as well as undertaking a community consultation with all relevant parties, including the local community around the site as well as parish officials and planners.
