Site surveyed for skate park
18:23, 04 February 2013
A plot of land in Sheerness has been inspected to see if it is a suitable location for a skate park for young people.
The Sheerness Enhancement Association for Leisure (SEAL) first planned to revamp the Beachfields area of the town and improve existing facilities for skaters in March 2011.
The vision could be closer to reality as a topographic study was carried out on the site on Tuesday last week by Sitech Surveying Services.
Further work was due to take place at the site, off Bridge Road, Sheerness, at the end of last week, by the Alan Baxter Partnership, which is carrying out a geotechnical survey.
SEAL treasurer Chris Foulds said the work had been approved by Graham Tuff, greenspaces officer at Swale council.
The research will seek to highlight any issues and will help the group decide on a final design.
He said: “I think it is important that we get a price first. We have an idea of around £180,000 for the design.
“We are pushing to get the youngsters to do as much fundraising as they can and I’m also very keen to give a presentation at the next LEF [Local Engagement Forum] meeting with the kids.”
Mr Foulds added that SEAL, which includes Sheerness businessmen Brian Spoor and Bernie Watson, would be seeking funding for the park from charitable grants.
Designs were submitted by competing skate park companies in October while group members have been working on their own with the help of young Islanders.
It is hoped the park will open this summer.