Freshwater & Totland Skate Park
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FORMAL OPENING OF WEST WIGHT SKATE PARK
FRIDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2010
1. Thank you for attending this evening. When Bob Nelson and I spoke with a group of Skate Park Users in May 2009, little did we realise that we would still be "painting the Forth Bridge" today.
2. The Users, back in Spring 2009 asked for the layout of the Skate Park to be changed, by bringing the equipment together, building a half-pipe, adding a box and grind rails.
3. The Skate Park Committee held two discussion sessions with the Users to get an overview of what the different user groups - bikers, boarders, blades, and scooters - and age groups - would like.
4. Early in July 2009 the Committee submitted a bid for funds to PTCG. We were granted £5,000 towards the Project on the 17th July 2009. With this start we approached Darren Nash of Nash Fabrication, whose quotation the Committee had accepted, to work on the upgrade project and construct the half-pipe.
5. At this time we became aware of the true value of the various facilities in Moa Place - Skate Park, Youth Shelter, Multi-Use Games Area, as well as the car park, Youth and Community Centre, Sports Centre, Medical Centre, and Public Convenience block. So, after discussion with community partners, like the police, it was agreed we should include CCTV in our next bid.
6. In October 2009 we approached LEADER for extra funding of £20,000 to include the Skate Park Project, including the provision of a PREDATOR CCTV system. All was going well, when we were suddenly informed that Planning Permission would need to be granted by the IWC. Thanks to the draughting capabilities of Cllr David Eccles of Totland Parish Council plans were drawn up, submitted, and approved.
7. During January 2010 our bid to LEADER was approved, RoSPA inspected the site after the equipment was moved to the new layout and submitted a report. From January to June work was carried out both to comply with the User`s wishes, and to incorporate the recommendations from the RoSPA Report.
8. On the 19th June 2010 we were able to hold our first User`s Competition Day, under the supervision of John Cattle of Wight Trash, which proved a great success, with up to 65 young people using the Skate Park, from 4 years of age up to 23 years, with family and friends attending.
9. At the end of July the Committee felt a further inspection should take place to confirm the safety of the site. This was carried out by Allianz Engineering, a RoSPA accredited company. It was noted in this Inspector`s report that some of the old Skatelite boards were reaching the end of their lives and should be replaced.
10. A further bid was put to PTCG for £2,710 to cover the estimated cost of replacing and fixing the new boards and supplying bins within the site, as approved by the Allianz Inspector. This bid was approved on the 24th August 2010.
11. Nash Fabrication has entered into a maintenance agreement with the Skate Park Committee and is preparing to undertake the work now the Users are back at school/college/work.
12. So to today and some special "thank you"s. First - PTCG who had confidence in this Project and gave us the seed funding to go forward. Second - LEADER - who also grasped the big picture, especially where the CCTV was concerned. The staff, including Dan Rowling and Claire McDowall of PTCG and Carol Flux and Bridget Welling of LEADER, Simon Dennis and Darren Vaughan of IWC CCTV Ops who have all given of their time and expertise with courtesy and professionalism at all times. Also, Mrs Sally Woods, Freshwater Parish Clerk who has cheerfully ploughed through the accounting procedures which are required when bids are granted, as well as ensuring invoices were correctly submitted and paid.
13. The Committee would like to thank those who heard our bids, and concluded they were of value. We also thank our partners in the community who gave us, and continue to give us, support throughout this Project. May I thank Bob Nelson for his enthusiasm and support throughout this Project. Bob has always gone the extra mile above and beyond the call of duty to ensure its completion.
14. The Committee`s final big "Thank You" must go to the Users, who make the work undertaken such an enjoyable experience, and have taken true ownership of the site, yet are willing to share it with all comers.
Thank you for listening.
Cllr Clive Fleury
Member of West Wight Skate Park Committee