What does the public think of having a skatepark in Port St Mary?

The local authority is inviting feedback on the proposal in a series of consultation sessions beginning on Saturday.

Last year the local authority submitted an application for approval in principle for one on land by the play ground by the golf course which provoked a number of objections.

There was some consultation with residents, but it was not wide enough agreed commissioners, leading to these sessions.

The proposal has been on the table for years.

It was first suggested by Scoill Phurt le Moirrey and picked up by Ray Lakeman, whose boys Jacques and Torin, aged 20 and 19, both died of a drug overdose in 2014.

The skatepark project, called Jactor Skatepark, is named after the brothers.

Plans have been drawn up and discussions held with Kristian Edwards, from Isle of Man Skateboarding (ISB), which is supporting the project.

Deputy clerk Hayley Fargher said: ’We are at the initial public consultation stage at the moment which is the first step of the process. Funding streams are still being looked into and we are hoping the public consultation will help determine which avenue we take. We would need to provide evidence of community demand and support.  

’I am intending to be present at all opening times, Kristian Edwards from ISB Skateboarding will be there on Saturday to lend support to the project and board members will be in attendance as and when they can.  

’We have lots of information in relation to the proposal and the plans on view, it’s more of an opportunity for people to come and talk to us to show support/voice concern and hopefully we can take it from there.’

Sessions are in the west room at the town hall from noon to 4pm on Saturday, April 28, noon to 2pm on Monday, April 30, 7pm to 9pm on Tuesday, May 1, noon to 2pm on Wednesday, May 2, 3pm to 4.30pm on Thursday, May 3 and noon to 2pm on Friday, May 5.