A design proposal sheet for a skate park featuring a layout diagram labeled 'Option 3', a location map, and reference photographs.
Proposed Installation of a Modular Skateboard Park at the Glen Road Community Recreation Area, Glen Road, Laxey
1. The Need for a Skatepark Facility in Laxey Laxey Commissioners purchased ‘mobile lightweight’ steel box section skateboard ramps in 2007. These were in service for around 12 years but became increasingly dilapidated and were de-commissioned in 2019. For the majority of this period they were located at the community recreation area The Commissioners undertook a survey of local residents of all range ages in 2018. The most requested item was the provision of skateboard facilities.
2. Flood Risk Assessment Close liaison has taken place with Malcolm Cowin the Flood Risk Manager and with Jose Rodrigeuz Fernandes Design Engineer at the Flood Risk Management Team of DoI. The proposals do not increase the risk of flooding at any properties or elsewhere in the vicinity, indeed the area is designed as part of the Department’s recent application for flood alleviation works in the vicinity PA 21/00875/B. As part of the latter application any surface water ponding behind the defences has been accounted for in design and will be allowed to discharge back into the watercourse.
3. The Current Site & Evaluation of Potential Impacts on the Community The adjacent MUGA has had the ‘mobile’ skate equipment installed inside almost permanently for the 12-year period. There was one complaint from a neighbour in that period about young people gathering in the area and abusing the equipment in a rowdy and noisy way, but no further complaints in over a decade: the status and acceptance of the recreation area assists in the latter. It is anticipated that the new units will generate noise at about the level of the previous units and it is expected that any disturbance would be of a similar order. The location is at a ‘mid-point’ in the recreation area and is approximately 65 metres from the property ‘Amulree’ to the north-west and approximately 66 metres from the property.
4. The Proposals for Flood Alleviation at the Glen Road Community Recreation Area as approved against PA 21/00850/B The concrete platform for the proposed skateboard area will sit above the ‘flood alleviation’ area which comprises the MUGA area and the grassed area to its northeast and south-east. In this sense the proposed skateboard park should have a reduced risk of flooding and consequent damage. In addition to this it is worth noting that the equipment supplied by Rhino Ramps/Proludic is to an extremely robust and high standard which we are advised would cope with storm flood situations.
5. The Equipment to be Installed Ramsey Town Commissioners have had similar specification skateboard equipment installed for a period of 15 years and advise us that in this period they have spent under £500 on maintenance of the modular units. RTC estimate that the modular units could be in service for at least a further five years. Consultation with IOM Skateboarding indicated that their preferred option would be for a fully concrete skatepark. This was noted and considered against two factors: these being the ‘start-up’ costs and the ongoing 15/20-year costs (see item 5 below), and the anticipation that the skate park was to be of modest scope
that was primarily intended to be for immediately local people (predominantly under 18) in the Garff region. In their planning of the project the Commissioners did, however, accept the advice from IOM Skateboarding that the park be designed to meet the needs of skateboarders at the beginners/intermediate level as provision elsewhere on the Island was focussed on advanced users; this was also the brief provided to potential suppliers at the tender stage. A 1.2 metre blue ‘roll top’ fence will be erected around the perimeter of the skateboard area. This will ‘key’ into the fence surrounds of the adjacent tennis court and MUGA and be in the same RAL registered blue. There will be a pedestrian access gate to the skateboard area as per the attached site plan.
6. Other options considered A fully concrete skateboard park was considered and costed. The costings revealed that such construction would be in the region of 35% more expensive than the modular units. Consultation with Braddan Commissioners revealed that the concrete unit would require ongoing maintenance comprising annual surface treatment (cost £1,500 - £22,500 pounds over 15 years) and resurfacing after ten years at an approximate cost of £10,000.
In this sense, comparing the maintenance costs provided by RTC for their modular units and replacement after 20 years (current cost £36,000), it was felt that the costs over a 15/20-year period would be comparable, however, the ‘start-up’ cost would be around 35% less (approximately £20,000initial cost saving).
7. Summary of Benefits of the Facility to Local Young People and the Wider Community The development would provide a public facility that as indicated by the study that was undertaken will be popular and well used; the previous ‘dilapidated’ were well used and their withdrawal for safety reasons was unpopular with local young people and their parents.
8. Post Installation The Commissioners are committed to resolving any issues such as litter, vandalism, or nuisance caused by any activities at the facility. We are experienced in operating and managing play areas across Garff and have few problems. Where these do on occasion occur we deal with them expediently and effectively; if necessary through engagement with parents and with other agencies such as the Northern Area Community Policing Team.
A photograph showing a blue metal fence enclosing a skate park area with concrete ramps and a hedge in the background.
