The future of a beloved outdoor play area in Grouville is secure after plans to rescue it received overwhelming approval at a meeting so packed that queues to get in extended around the side of the Parish Hall.
Located at the northern end of Longbeach Car Park, the Sandy Park play area has until now been maintained by the Government’s Infrastructure Department.
However, that lease is set to expire later this month on 24 June, and there were fears that it might close for good as a result following some reported concerns of antisocial behaviour in the area.
“One-off” £15k donation
Constable Mark Labey therefore proposed that the parish take on responsibility for the popular children’s park – whose swings are dubbed as having “the best view in the island” – and the matter was put to a vote last night.
Ahead of the meeting, the Constable confirmed that there would be a one-off “donation” of £15,000 from the Chef Tenants to “support the takeover of Sandy Park”.
He also confirmed that cleaning, inspections and land rental would cost in the region of £3,600 annually, and that immediate maintenance costs were expected to total just over £9,000.
Insurance costs are still awaited.
“People power alive and well”
Following last night’s meeting, scores of islanders took to social media to applaud the result, with one attendee writing: “It was beautiful to see the queue going off around the side of the parish hall, even as it was nearly full inside.
“Well done everyone and great points made by all, especially the little lad who stood up to add that it would be worse for the environment if Grouville children had to be driven up to St Martin to play.”
One commenter described it as a “wonderful result for our children and Grouville”, while another exclaimed: “People power alive and well in Grouville! Whoop!”
Kids Rock, an online group which promotes children’s activities which had supported the campaign to safeguard the park simply said: “Yipee! The Sandy Park is staying!”