ISLAND skaters were yesterday finally celebrating the long-awaited opening of a £125,000 skate park in St Helier.
After seven years of campaigning, they were out in force enjoying the ramps, rails and half-pipes on the New North Quay. Jake Hipwell, the president of the Channel Islands Skateboard Association, said that it was great to finally see the fruit of their efforts.
He explained that they originally wanted a top-class facility costing £250,000, but a compromise was reached which included having a park without a roof. He said: ‘We are just pleased and grateful for the park. This park is fantastic and was a long time in the making, and I am just glad to see that people want it and have somewhere to enjoy themselves.’
He added: ‘Everybody always seems to be complaining about youth crime and youth obesity, but if you do not give children somewhere to go, what else are they supposed to do?’
Pictured: Alex Coleburn in action on the new £125,000 facility
