Les Q skatepark to get upgrades... and St. Helier plan "continuing"

Monday 19 June 2023

Work on a potential new skatepark in St. Helier is "continuing" – while the new skatepark at Les Quennevais is set to see upgrades including floodlights, drinking fountains and accessible toilets.

Deputy Lucy Stephenson, who has responsibility for sport, said that the wood chippings around the Les Quennevais facility would be replaced with artificial grass, after users complained that some were getting caught in skateboard wheels.

She added that the Government was currently liaising with a number of artificial grass suppliers.

Updates to the pavilion - including an accessible toilet, a baby changing facility and a water filling station - are also planned.

The plan is for Skateboard Jersey to take over what is now a changing room. This is set to become their base as well as a community space.

Floodlights are also set to be built on the site during the course of this year, the Deputy said.

Some of the changes follow feedback from a Government survey which attracted 520 responses. 

Watch: A video about Jersey's newest skatepark produced by Skateboard GB.

Nearly nine out of 10 respondents said they viewed the park as "a welcoming place", and that they were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with its size and layout.

One respondent said: "The skatepark is fantastic, better than many parks we have been to in the UK and France. It has been amazing for the community and has given many kids and adults a space to do a sport they love! You cannot underestimate the mental health benefits this park has provided."

Described by Skateboard GB as the largest in the British Isles, the Les Quennevais skatepark was opened earlier this year following several false starts.

The previous Government had said it was also looking to install a skatepark in the east of the island, as well as several 'satellite' facilities.

Deputy Stephenson said that there remained a "clear need" for a new skatepark in St. Helier and that work to develop one was "continuing".

Pictured: Deputy Lucy Stephenson speaks at the opening of the skatepark in February.

However, she said that one would not be built on the same scale as Les Quennevais.

Pictured - top: The opening of Les Quennevais skatepark earlier this year.