Skate facilities at White Rock Gardens have been vastly improved thanks to an extensive and highly successful consultation with young people in the town. The installation of ramps at White Rock Gardens was given the go ahead in July and by the end of August the first ramp was up. At the time of going to print, six further ramps and a ply surface were due to be in place by the end of September.
The ramps have been designed by a top designer who is responsible for ramps all around the UK and for those used at the Urban Games and the Skateboarding World Cup. The Council set aside £20,000 for the purchase and installation of equipment which is suitable for needs of the younger age group.
The seven week consultation with BMXers. Boarders and skaters took place in April. 10,000 specially designed postcards were distributed around shops, pubs and schools and there was an excellent 900 responses. There were four questions asked: Would you like a skate park in Hastings & St Leonards, Are you a BMXer, boarder, skater or other, How long have you been riding and How often do you skate or ride. The results of the consultation showed that 57% of respondents had been riding/skating for 2-5 years and a further 15% for 6 or more years. Over half of those who support the skate park are between 13 and 18 years old and a further 29% are aged 19 plus.
Local business Backyard also took the postcards to a national bike show and 186 potential users from outside the town were identified. Councillor John Humphries, Cabinet Member responsible for Community Participation, said:
"It is important that Hastings has a Council which works for the leisure needs of as many people as possible. After a very positive consultation exercise we carried out some very positive action."
For more information or comment the Youth Sports Development Officer on 781189.
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This page last updated: 15/10/2001