‘New skate park must be world class’

Alex Coleborn BMX Picture: ADAM LIEVESLEY

The former Les Quennevais student, who is currently training for the 2021 Olympic Games under an elite-sport lockdown exemption in Northamptonshire, says the Island is in need of suitable facilities for those planning to one day make a career out of their hobby.

Government officials are this week discussing where the skate park should be sited, with politicians pushing for the submission of planning applications by the end of February. Senator Steve Pallett lodged a formal proposition in the States on Wednesday calling for the park to be built at Les Quennevais, which received the majority of support in a public consultation held in 2019. Pallett, who held political responsibility for sport in Jersey until November 2020, has been left frustrated by a lack of progress after civil servants went ‘behind his back’ and switched their focus to South Hill in St Helier.

‘The Island just needs something better … we haven’t had something that good in years,’ said Coleborn, who is one of four British Cycling-backed riders battling for a freestyle BMX spot at Tokyo 2021.

‘Town is more central but if it is going to be a better park than the one in town at the moment then it doesn’t matter where it is. There just needs to be a good facility for people to train on and progress in whatever they’re doing.’

He added: ‘I am moving back to Jersey next year, after the Olympics, so I am hoping the park is built by then and it is good enough for me to ride on. If I can train on the Island that will help a bunch.’

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