Freshwater & Totland Skate Park

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14 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT THE WEST WIGHT SKATE PARK

In May 2009 a group of Skate Park Users spoke to members of the West Wight Skate Park Committee and the Environmental Neighbourhood Officer, asking for refurbishment and perhaps the addition of extra equipment.

The current Skate Park is now ten years old and is a monument to the care and consideration the Users have shown throughout that time.

A bid for funding was implemented to the Isle of Wight Partnership and Co-ordinating Group (PTCG) which resulted in a successful grant of £5000 in July 2009.

This was followed by a Skate Park Users consultation meeting, at the West Wight Youth & Community Centre, on the 5th August where the children and young people put forward their ideas as to the future shape of the Skate Park. Such items as "half-pipes", "boxes", "coffins" and "grind rails" were mentioned.

During August and September the Skate Park Committee explored options and received quotations as to building, supplying and carrying out the implementation of the refurbishment.

On the 7th of October a further Skate Park Users consultation meeting was held when the final agreement was reached as to what the finished Skate Park would look like.

Further funding was applied for on the 26th of October, from the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership, through the IOW LEADER local Action Group, under the Rural Development Programme for England. The bid was supported by the West Wight Safer Neighbourhood Team, Freshwater Parish Council, Totland Parish Council, and the Skate Park Users. The bid was considered by the panel and was approved for £19,166 on the 25th November 2009.

The LEADER bid incorporated the provision of a CCTV system to cover the MUGA, Skate Park, Youth Shelter and surrounding areas. This has been felt necessary both to protect these valuable sites and give a safe and secure environment for users and visitors.

A minor bombshell landed in December 2009 when the Skate Park committee were informed that planning permission would be required from County Planning Officers. This was duly applied for.

In January 2010 the current Skate Park was inspected by RoSPA, a report being received during February 2010, with only minor recommendations for safety improvements. On the 19th February the IOW Planning Department approved the plans for the Skate Park and CCTV.

The Skate Park Committee met on the 11th March 2010 and agreed that Nash Fabrications would be the main contractor for the Skate Park, and that the PREDATOR Deployable Camera System would be the preferable system.

On the 31st March an on-site meeting was held to discuss with Scottish & Southern Electricity, IOW Council CCTV Manager, local Police Sgt, ENO, and members of the Skate Park Committee, the final requirements and design of the approved system.

The 1st of April saw the Project Coordinator and Responsible Financial Officer attending the offices of the IOW Economic Partnership to sign a contract under the RDPE Programme, and to meet the Project Officer.

On the 9th April an on-site meeting was held with the main contractor for the Skate Park when specifications and a time-table were agreed. Work should be completed by 01 June 2010, followed by a Grand Opening. The Skate Park Committee will submit updates to keep everyone informed.

The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is funded by Defra and the EU. The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD): Europe investing in rural areas.