There will continue to be a skatepark in Helensburgh – and it could remain at the town’s waterfront site, a council official has said.
A representative of the town’s Skatepark Project submitted a public question to councillors today after they were asked to agree that the waterfront site was not a suitable permanent location.
However, it was clarified that the recommendation to councillors was based on a skatepark being built to bigger dimensions than the temporary facility which will be situated at the waterfront.
And it was confirmed that keeping the skatepark at the waterfront, albeit on a reduced scale from what may be planned elsewhere, is a “backstop” in planning a new site.
A report ahead of today’s meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee asked councillors to agree “that the waterfront site is not considered to be a suitable long term location for the skatepark as initial marketing of the site has highlighted that the site is not large enough to accommodate a larger scale skatepark which the group are seeking as well as a viable commercial development.”
Jackie Hood, of the Skatepark Project, had the question read on her behalf by clerk Stuart McLean.
She said: “Why has the council chosen to misrepresent and manipulate the views and aspirations of the Helensburgh Skatepark Project in the initial report?
“We have never said that the waterfront site is too small or in the wrong location. The skatepark belongs on the waterfront since the masterplan published at the end of 2012.
“The location is the most considerable element, even over size. We have been told that if we remain on the waterfront we will be restricted by the dimensions, even though we refute those dimensions. We wish to remain on what is a perfect site for the skatepark.
“The recent allocation of £80,000 is very welcome, but the council needs to clarify if this will be spent on a location for a bigger, more ambitious skatepark.
“If that is not possible, people need to know that the skatepark can remain on the waterfront. I would like it minuted that the Skatepark Project does not agree with the report’s recommendations.”
David Allan, the council’s estates and property development manager, responded: “During discussions with the skatepark group, they advised that they would like to develop a larger facility to attract visitors.
“That site does not have the capacity for a larger skatepark alongside a commercial development, and the report goes on to consider alternative locations.
“These options look to help the group achieve the best outcome possible. If these are not suitable, they will be located at the waterfront, but on a limited scale.”
During later discussion of the report, Mr Allan added: “It might be worth amending the recommendations to say that if there is no suitable area, there will be reinstatement of the skatepark.”
Cllr Mark Irvine received clarification that it will cost £30,000 to site the skatepark at its temporary waterfront site.
He then said: “A lot of members have received multiple emails in the last 48 hours, so it is an emotive subject. There may be one or two objections but most are very supportive.
“I am a bit confused now in terms of whether the footprint of the temporary skatepark is big enough to do what they want to do.”
Mr Allan said: “They had aspirations for a big skatepark, which what we are trying to accommodate, but over the last week they have said they would be prepared to consider the reinstatement of the previous facility.
“There is a compromise with location because there is more space the further out you go. Is it a larger facility further away for the centre, or a smaller one in the centre?”
Cllr Irvine then added: “From everything I have read, seen and heard, it seems that it could be a compromise site.”
Mr Allan responded: “That is the ultimate fallback position if there is no alternative.”
Ross McLaughlin, the council’s head of commercial services, said: “Some people think it is a very fitting site, others think it is not fitting for it to be in the town centre.
“It is about trying to consolidate very polarised views, but it will be delivered in some way, in some location.”
Addressing concerns about the recommendation, Mr McLaughlin added: “That was not the intention of how it is worded. We know what the backstop is – there will be a skatepark. That is what the town has told us.”
We have heard this story before.