A request for Port Erin Commissioners to contribute to the cost of a concrete riding bowl in Castletown was refused by the local authority at a recent meeting.

Castletown Commissioners’ clerk Hugo Mackenzie wrote: ’At our board meeting of June 4, it was resolved that an invitation be made to other local authorities in the south of the island to consider contributing to the cost of providing such a facility, particularly where there may be no such provision in your own area.’

Port Erin clerk Jason Roberts said Rushen Parish Commissioners are funding a new facility on recreational land at Ballakilley and there are plans for a skatepark in Port St Mary. Mr Roberts said all schemes should be considered at the same time ’we have got to make sure public money is spent wisely to get the best value.’Barbara Guy proposed they decline to contribute because they are ’considering other options’.

She was seconded by Marc Morley.