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10
WQ.67/2018
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE
MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM, SPORT AND CULTURE BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. JOHN
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 19th MARCH 2018
Question
Further to recent developments in respect of the skate park and the public meeting held at the Town Hall , will the Minister advise what the Government's position is on providing a new skate park; whether any funding has been allocated for this initiative; and whether an appropriate and accessible area has been identified?
Answer
The current site for the skateboard park (New North Quay) is not appropriate and an alternative needs to be found. Following the closure on health and safety grounds, a short term solution has been found to keep the park open at peak periods.
A working group led by Connétable Pallett, Assistant Minister for Sport, has been established whose purpose is:
• to identify sites available which could be considered for the relocation and development of the current skateboard park
• to evaluate the options and identify a preferred site
• to identify and secure sources of funds for the development of the preferred site.
The working group, which is formed of representatives of the extreme sports community, has been provided with professional project management support to build the case for a new park.
A new association (the Jersey Skateparks Association) has been formed by the skate board / BMX / scooter community which is being supported by Jersey Sport. The Jersey Skateparks Association (JSA) will work closely with the working group to ensure all elements of evidence are brought forward and the social impact case made for an appropriate site with the support of all statutory agencies and stakeholders.
Wide support has been established in a short period of time and the launch of a new social media and PR campaign by the JSA will help keep the community informed. Funding can only be identified once a suitable site is identified. Funding will be sought from a variety of partners including a case being made to the States of Jersey. Planning policy colleagues are working closely with the working group to ensure any identified site sits within the strategic framework of the developing St. Helier Open Space Strategy.