Those behind a popular Isle of Wight skatepark are exploring options as it looks to open again soon.
The skatepark on Ryde Esplanade closed earlier this year due to what Ryde Town Council (RTC) called vandalism but Ryde Skatepark Users Group called wear and tear.
Extensive repairs are said to be needed but what to do in the short term and in the long run, is still to be discussed.
Ryde Town Council (RTC) leases the skatepark from the Isle of Wight Council on a peppercorn rent but has to pay for all the repairs and maintenance.
A budget for repairs has been set aside in the short term, a RTC spokesperson said but in the longer term, other options are being explored including upgrading to a larger concrete facility.
The spokesperson said they have found the current wooden structure does not fair well with the salty air.
The funding for the skatepark repairs has been halved in recent months — to £7,500 —while the future is being deliberated.
Larger projects would likely be financed through grant funding or other cash streams, as it is estimated a concrete facility could cost more than £200,000.
To find out exactly what the future holds for the facility, the Ryde Skatepark User Group is holding an ‘ideas’ meeting.
A date has now been set for the ‘ideas’ meeting — Sunday, May 14 from 12pm to 3pm at Craft on Ryde Esplanade.
RTC has held back on starting the repairs, the spokesperson said, until after the user group has had this meeting, at the request of the group.
The spokesperson said:
“We agreed with this request as their feedback is vital to ensure any replacement features in the skatepark are suitable for all users.”
The user group has recently criticised the lack of investment in the skatepark in the past ten years but hopes with a small amount of funding they have been able to source and the budget from RTC, the worst of the ramps could be removed.
They hope the skatepark will be open for the summer with some new and fun obstacles.
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