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After years of campaigning, consultations and, more recently, construction delays, the brand new skate park at Les Quennevais was formally unveiled on Saturday.
Hundreds attended the launch, with many taking the opportunity to try the £1.9 million facility for the first time, a moment that brought former sports minister Hugh Raymond to tears.
Opening the site alongside representatives from the Jersey Skateparks Association, Deputy Lucy Stephenson, the Assistant Minister with responsibility for sport, said: "It is a culmination of effort by a great many people and groups.
"There have been some delays, but this project is an excellent example of community and government working together to deliver something incredible for Islanders and visitors alike."
Pictured: Deputy Lucy Stephenson gives a speech at the launch event for the new skate park. (David Ferguson)
She continued: "It is also an important reminder that sport and physical activity comes in many forms, and this skate park is purposefully designed to cater for a variety of urban sports – as well as different ages and abilities.
"I have no doubt that there will be a further surge in interest in urban sport as a result."
She continued: "There is funding allocated in the Government Plan for 2023 for feasibility work on a St Helier park, and proposals are progressing for a pilot scheme in the Millennium Town Park to trial the installation of skate-friendly street furniture."
Much of the political debate took place under the previous government, when Mr Raymond and Mr Pallett were still in office.
Pictured: Former sports minister Hugh Raymond watches on as Deputy Lucy Stephenson formally unveils the new skate park. (David Ferguson)
Mr Raymond said: "To be perfectly frank, it’s brought tears to my face – it’s just great to see so many people here. It would be silly not to say we’ve had our ups and downs, but my god we’ve achieved it and it’s good for the kids. We [need to] make sure we look after it and it’s well used – I’m sure it will be – but the way it’s been set out is fantastic. It’s been a long, hard haul with delays at times but we got there in the end."
Mr Pallett said people had to realise that ‘any project in the States takes time’, but added that the new facility was a "superb finish".
"I have got to thank the people that followed me, Hugh and Lucy for keeping the ball rolling – there were some delays but they kept the pressure on politically."
He also thanked the government Sports Division and operations director Barclay Harvey, who he described as "a key member all the way through".
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