Ryde Skate Park - Ryde - Isle of Wight - UK
Ryde Skate Park - Press release: June 2010

Ryde Sk8Park User Group is pleased to announce that the final stage of work is now under way to finish off the Ryde Skate Park.
This should result in the establishment of an impressive, largely wooden Skate Park, with the most imaginative, versatile and varied assembly of ramps on the Island.
These will provide high quality outlets for the energy of young people who wish to develop, practise and display their skills on skateboards, skates and BMX bicycles.

In order to fund the project, the User Group has raised just over £50,000 in money and has also had generous donations of goods and materials. These have helped to ensure that the finished Park will be a real asset to the Island's young people. Thanks to financial contributions from many Organizations, Institutions and interested groups and individuals, as well as to the continuing efforts and support of Steve Double, Ryde Town Council (the largest individual donation), Hampshire Police Authority, the Sk8Park Users Group and Guido Oakley, the Park should be ready for use within a month.

In addition to the work needed to complete the construction and before the Park can be opened, there are also administrative arrangements to finalize. These will cover the lease of the property, insurance for the park, the establishment of regular safety-checks. There will be a final Safety Inspection before the Park is officially opened.

It is hoped that the park will be able to be developed further, raising its standard still higher, by adding a surface of Ramparmor, in the not-too-distant future. This will have the effect of greatly enhancing the robustness - and therefore the life - of the Park. More fund-raising will be needed for this to be achieved.

The following is a timetable which we hope we can keep to, for the Park's opening:

w/c 14 June Ryde Town Council Meeting on 14 June
Preparation of draft Management Plan completed
Agenda for first full Management Committee meeting published (16
June)
Legal/insurers advice sought

User Group plans opening ceremony

w/c 21 June Management Committee meets (22 June) and considers draft
management plan and plans for opening ceremony

w/c 28 June IWC view sought on whether they are satisfied with works
undertaken
Licence ready to sign by Clerk (assurances sought and received and
Mayor consulted)

Early July - licence signed and opening ceremony