Skateboard users and BMXers invited to have their say on new facility in Bridgnorth
BMXers, skateboard users and local residents are invited to get involved in the design and location of a BMX and skate facility in Bridgnorth.
An online questionnaire to gauge people’s thoughts and ideas on the new facility has now been launched. The questionnaire will help identify what the facility should look like and where it should go.
A consultation event will also be held on Thursday 21 February 2013 from 11am to 5pm at Shropshire Youth’s Bridgnorth Youth Centre, Innage Lane, where local residents are invited to discuss ideas for the facility, and look at possible designs, plans and locations. People will also get the opportunity to complete the questionnaire, and BMXers and skateboarders will also be able to use the mobile ramps on the day.
The project is being led by Shropshire Council, Bridgnorth Town Council and the local policing team. The £50,000 skate and BMX facility has mostly been paid for from ‘106’ funds, managed by Shropshire Council’s outdoor recreation team.
Throughout the summer of 2012 a large group of young people met with detached youth workers from Bridgnorth Youth Centre on Friday nights. As a key part of this work, young people have been working with both councils to develop a skate and BMX facility in the town, following confirmation from the community that this is the priority for play and recreation in the town.
To facilitate the possible development of the facility, the youth centre has extended its opening times, and is now open on a Friday evening between 7pm and 9pm for young people aged 10–18.
The Friday evening opening has been made possible thanks to support from Bridgnorth Community Alcohol Partnership (B-CAP) and funding from the Shrop-CAP project, an initiative to tackle underage drinking in the county. B-CAP is supporting the initiative in the Bridgnorth area.
Opening the youth centre on a Friday evening also gives young people a safe place to meet and explore further the ideas for a skate facility in the Bridgnorth area, provides them with information around staying safe, and gives them the opportunity to get involved in the planning and design of the facility.
Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for active and healthy lifestyles, said:
“It’s really encouraging to see a project like this bringing the community and partners together, and giving young people a voice in their community to make things happen. This consultation will be a starting point for the development of a suitable skate park for Bridgnorth. I am sure this facility will bring many benefits to the area, including boosting the health and enjoyment of young people, so come and get involved and help enhance the recreational facilities in your community.”
Willam Parr, a Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth East and Astley Abbots, added:
“I have supported the idea of Bridgnorth opportunities for BMXers and skateboarders, who will benefit in a variety of ways, such as their health, and the community will benefit too. Now BMX and skateboard users have the opportunity to be consulted on this project, which is long overdue.”
Les Winwood, a local Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth West and Tasley, commented:
“We know many people have been waiting for this project to come to fruition for some time, and I think getting young people and residents together to look at where the BMX and skate facility should be is the best way forward.”
Christian Lea, lalso a local Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth East and Astley Abbots, said:
“I would encourage local people to let Shropshire Council know their thoughts on the proposals for a BMX and skateboard facility in the town. Young people have been asking for such a facility in the town for a while now, and it is pleasing to see that this project is beginning to move forward. It is important that we get a good response to the consultation, in the hope of being able to identify a suitable design and location for such a facility.”
The online questionnaire can be accessed by going to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9QW5GJ3.
For those who do not have access to a computer, hard copies of the questionnaires are available in a number of venues including the youth centre, Westgate, the library and the town council offices.
Deadline for submissions is Friday 8 March 2013.
There will be an open meeting later in March to feedback the results of the consultation. There will also be a small project group which will take this project forward. Anyone wanting to be involved in this group can register their interest in the questionnaire.
For more information about the project and the consultation event contact Tom Brettell, senior community action officer on 01743 257861 or email tom.brettell@shropshire.gov.uk.
