Repairs to an Isle of Wight skatepark will hopefully see it open in time for summer – after it failed a safety inspection.
The Moa Place Skatepark, in Freshwater, was unexpectedly shut last month after the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents deemed there were significant hazards.
Freshwater Parish Council is coming up with a ‘cheap, temporary solution’ to patch it up as it agreed to submit plans to the Isle of Wight Council for a new skate park and pump track.
An inspector said the equipment may be beyond the point of economical repair after they found rotting ramps, lifting boards and surface wearing but the skatepark should be shut until it can be made safe.
Cllr Anne Bamford said the skatepark, which was the first on the Island and opened in September 2010, had come to the end of its life.
Martha Eggleton at Freshwater skatepark
She said:
“All we are trying to do is really patch it up as cheap as we can as we won’t have to keep it for too much longer.”
Most of the damage has been caused, council officers say, by wear and tear although councillors raised fears of vandalism.
Cllr Brenda Hobbs said the council was only looking at keeping it for a couple of years but they have to have it open for the summer holidays, or the village would be chaos.
The council has already set a budget for repairs to the skatepark, with which it will buy materials to fix problems and officers will donate their time to install them.
The parish council is committed to providing the new skatepark and yesterday (Tuesday) received a presentation from Gravity Engineers, the designers of the track.
The authority is funding half of the cost (£120,000) and looking to secure grant funding and sponsorships to cover the rest.
Without planning permission yet, it cannot apply for grants.
If the green light is given, it could take between ten and 12 weeks to construct the track and is expected to have a 30 to 40 year lifespan before any issues arise.
Maritime Units Heading For Isle Of Wight Armed Forces Day
Funding Boost For Council Chairman's Chosen Charity
Medina Way Works In Place This Sunday
Islander Georgie To Star On BBC1's Great British Sewing Bee
Labour's West Wight Candidate Outlines Island Plan
Scam Warnings Issued For Isle Of Wight
Islanders Invited To Take Part In Charity Fire Walk For St Catherine’s
New Company To Bid For Digital Radio Licence On The Isle Of Wight
Police Respond To Anti-Social Behaviour Involving Electric Motorbikes In Puckpool
New Records Set Following ‘Extraordinary’ Walk The Wight
Appeal Launched Following Ryde Cashpoint Theft
Islanders Urged To Make Sure They're 'Emergency Ready'
Cast Your Vote For New Sea Defence Scheme To Win People's Choice Award
Operation Sceptre - A Number Of Surrender Bins Across Isle Of Wight
Man Jailed For Ryde Burglary And Knife Offences
Top Marks For Gurnard Primary Playground Project
Marathon Runners Raising Funds For Isle Of Wight Youth Trust As Part Of Mental Health Awareness Week
Body Of Man In 40s Discovered Following Brighstone Fire
Food And Fuel Support Extended For Island Families In Need
Hovertravel Releases More Than 60 Late Flights For July And August
