On Saturday, 6th November 2004, Wivenhoe residents had the chance to see what a skateboard park would look like as part of a major public consultation exercise being conducted by Wivenhoe Town Council into whether such a park should be built. Wivenhoe Town Council has brought in skate-boarding consultants, Tribe Enterprises, to find out the views of local people and produce a recommendation about its location. Temporary skateboard ramps were set up in the Council Yard by Tribe Enterprises to give youngsters a taste of what the Council might do, to help estimate demand and to give residents an idea of what the scale of a skateboard park might be. Town Councillors were on hand in the William Loveless Hall from 11am to 4pm with maps and photographs of potential locations, to hear the views of residents and to answer questions. Residents were asked to complete a questionnaire and to provide written comments, asking whether they wanted a skateboard park, where it should be based and provide other comments. These questionnaires will be an important part of the work being undertaken by the consultants. Councillors were very pleased that around 200 people came to the Hall to discuss their concerns and complete the questionnaires. Residents are asked to express their views about the following possible locations: KGV playing fields (two locations), Lower Lodge open space (two locations), public open space opposite Millfields School; Henrietta Close. Background: A skateboard park for Wivenhoe has been under discussion for several years. The Town Council set up a Youth Facilities Working Group this year to make progress on this issue. Members are: Cllr Dave Purdey (Chairman); Cllr Cyril Liddy (Secretary); Cllrs Penny Kraft; Sally Glozier-Green; Ken Rogers. Cllr Peter Hill, the Town’s Mayor said: “We feel the time has come for a definite decision to be made firstly on whether there is enough support for a skateboard park and secondly where it should go. We have researched what other Councils have done, and spent much time and effort considering where it should go. We believe we need professional help us make a well-considered decision and so have appointed Tribe Enterprises as specialist consultants who have helped other Councils with this sensitive issue". Next steps: If you were unable to come to the public event, there is still time to express your views by completing the questionnaire any time up until the end of November. The questionnaire is available from the Council Offices or by downloading one from this web site by clicking here. Forms should be returned to the Town Council offices as soon as possible and no later than the end of November. If a suitable site can be selected, the Council will start work immediately on raising the necessary funds through application to grant funding bodies. This is a slow process which could take a year or more. Residents will be informed before any final decisions are made by the Council. See Poster for the Saturday 6th November 2004 event - click here Click here for photos of locations
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