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Children from the local skating community jumped for joy yesterday as a project to build a new skatepark at Les Quennevais kick-flipped into action.
After the first spade went into the ground, campaigner Natalie Mayer reflects on the long and emotional road to making the project a reality and shares what Jersey's soon-to-be hub of skating means to the community...
As the Winter Olympics loom, I received a message from my friend Jenny Jones, a British Olympic medallist snowboarder, reminding me that it was exactly four years ago that she and BBC Presenter Ed Leigh recorded a message direct to the Jersey Government, from the Pyongchang Olympics in 2018.
In the video, our sideways sliding champions sung the praises of the sport of skateboarding, talking about how it formed the grounding for their long lasting careers on snow, and how skating provides immeasurable health and social benefits for everyone that takes part.
"Build Jersey a decent skatepark" was the message.
Pictured: "And so it was on Wednesday that we showed up at Les Quennevais, the location for the first of these parks, to join a celebration (and maybe a Minister photo opp), for the first day of building this 2000sqm dreamland." (Natalie Mayer)
Four long years later, the latest Winter Olympics in Beijing gears up, tidily marking the significant passage of time since this campaign began.
Our original helpers were delighted to learn that Jersey's Government was on the cusp of fulfilling the FIRST HALF of their recent promise... to build TWO epic skateparks for Jersey's kids.
And so it was on Wednesday that we showed up at Les Quennevais, the location for the first of these parks, to join a celebration (and maybe a Ministerial photo opp), for the first day of building this 2000sqm dreamland.
Children enthusiastically dug at the ground for the cameras, practiced tricks on the nearby tarmac, spoke to the TV crews and posed for photos. The atmosphere was full of fun and excitement, and the overall feeling was of unity and joy. Something that's taken so long, and been campaigned for by so many, is finally underway.
Pictured: "Children enthusiastically dug at the ground for the cameras, practiced tricks on the nearby tarmac, spoke to the TV crews and posed for photos." (Natalie Mayer)
Build time is said to be 23 weeks, with completion aimed at 15 July this year - just in time for the summer holidays. To anyone that has waited 35 years for this (and there are many), it won't be a minute too soon.
This facility is much wanted and needed. It will be a place where freedom of expression is King. Children and adults will play and hang out together. Lifelong friendships and memories will be made. Children will gain self-confidence and life skills.
Some will master the basics, whilst others will become professionals of the sport and fly high beyond their wildest dreams. Whatever the skill level attained, the reward will be the same. There will be cuts, bruises, broken bones and tears – as well as laughter, achievement, and a whole lot of fun.
Pictured: "It will be a place where freedom of expression is King. Children and adults will play and hang out together. Lifelong friendships and memories will be made. Children will gain self-confidence and life skills." (Natalie Mayer)
Above all, this will be a place of inclusivity and community. Skateparks are places where everyone is welcome to come and get stuck in, and the value of that, to the future of our Island and the wellbeing of our children, is immeasurable.
Thank you Government of Jersey for recognising the importance of this – especially Senator Steve Pallett who fought the first battles to get it done, and Senator Lyndon Farnham and Deputy Hugh Raymond for seeing it over the line.
Here's to many years of fun!
Assistant Minister with responsibility for Sport, Deputy Hugh Raymond, joined the local skating community to mark the start of the project yesterday...
