Select a region
Plans have been lodged to convert a "neglected" historic chapel into an indoor skate facility and cultural hub which hopes to "create a friendly indoor facility where mixed age groups can gather and have fun when the outdoor park is rained off".
If proposals are approved, St Ouen’s Methodist Church, which was built in 1871, would be transformed with ramps installed and a mural painted on the walls and ceiling.
Applicant and architect Tom McAviney said the site would be managed by local charity 'Skate Space'.
A total of £5,000 of Government money has been given to the charity to clean and paint the inside of the church, on Route de Trodez, with Skate Space project motivator Natalie Mayer calling the funding "a really positive step for the project".
Skate Space are delighted to have lodged our planning application to put skatable ramps inside the empty church in St Ouen's. We want to create a friendly indoor facility where mixed age groups can gather and have fun when the outdoor park is rained off. pic.twitter.com/N99cfdFwT2
— Natalie Mayer (@nataliemayer0) June 29, 2023
She added: "The building is structurally sound, but due to years of neglect there is mould on the ceiling which needs to be cleaned off, and a new coat of paint will ready it for the potential mural and hoped-for ramps.
"We know that loneliness and social isolation is a huge contributing factor to ill health, and by reclaiming a space which has sat empty for years, we hope to see community, physical and mental-health benefits for the users."
Natalie previously told Express how also hoped to use the space to nurture creativity by running film and photography workshops.
Architect Mr McAviney said that the project would regenerate the "neglected historic building" and that they planned to install timber ramps "to create a skateable indoor space".
"The existing building will be respected with no fixings into the original fabric and no adjustments made that cannot be removed, ensuring that the church can be returned to its previous state, should this be required in the future.
"This project seeks a change of use to convert the disused Methodist chapel in St Ouen into a space which can once again benefit the community."
This building has been used only as storage for the past 40 years, and the Methodist guardians have long sought a suitable community use.
— Natalie Mayer (@nataliemayer0) June 29, 2023
We think we are a perfect match to the space, and are very grateful that we have been given the opportunity to make this project work. pic.twitter.com/QKFMr3qeyv
"We would like to place some skateboard ramps inside the building. This will create a fun and much-needed indoor space for young people, and adults, to participate in a sport," wrote Mr McAviney.
If approved, Mr McAviney confirmed that a manager to run the skate park would be employed and islanders wishing to attend the facility would need to book a session in advance via an app.
He explained: "All groups can book sessions as and when they wish. There will be a cap on how many can be in a group, according to space on the ramps.
"Users won’t be turning up without being part of an organised session. Operating like this, we hope to keep things well managed, and familiar."
FOCUS: Ramping it up down the nave
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.