Skateboard park funding (FOI)

Request

The Jersey Skateparks Association are being told by politicians that funding for a new skatepark will be sought from 'various organisations and trusts'. They are also promoting images of parks which are costed in the region of £650,000. They are receiving political backing of the back of these promises. Some politicians are saying these promises are not realistic.

Can Freedom of Information (FOI) provide information on what specific 'organisations and trusts' are potentially available for such a scheme so we can assess for ourselves whether these promises are realistic?

Response

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 was 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.