Topic ID 2207
The following press release issued today by East Herts District Council: PLANS for a skatepark for Hartham Common have been reluctantly put on hold, after just one company expressed an interest in building it. Now, officers are to approach the four other skatepark companies invited to submit tenders for the project to find out why they decided against it. Bob Parker, Executive Member for Community, said: “With just one scheme to look at, we cannot ensure we have the most cost-effective or value-for-money scheme without further market testing.” East Herts Council had promised £100,000 towards building a £200,000 scheme after Hertford Skatepark Group promised to raise the rest of the cash needed. The group also helped draw up the specification and the list of skatepark builders to be approached. Cllr Parker added: “It’s very disappointing – but it seems that, despite assurances to the contrary, companies were not interested in building a half-now, half-later skatepark where there are doubts that the extra £100,000 will be raised.” Hertford Skatepark Group will now be given 12 months to raise the cash. The £100,000 from East Herts Council will also be put aside until then. When the extra money is raised, companies will be approached again to re-tender.
Reply ID 30197
Something doesn't feel right with the statement. What clauses did they put in the Tender documents to put off companies bidding?, Do EHDC really want this to happen ?. This is all from the same councilor responsible for Parking Wardens who represents the posh part of Bishops Stortford, need i say more.
Reply ID 30201
quote:This part - "Cllr Parker added: 'It’s very disappointing – but it seems that, despite assurances to the contrary, companies were not interested in building a half-now, half-later skatepark where there are doubts that the extra £100,000 will be raised.'"
Originally posted by spitfire
What clauses did they put in the Tender documents to put off companies bidding?
Reply ID 30212
I have not seen the plans, so this is comment may be ignorant, but can it really require £200,000 to build a skate park?
Reply ID 30217
quote:Of course Andrew! You nead a feasibility study, then develop and discussion of a concept, or vision, of what the skatepark may be like. Following that, a local audit, or appraisal, of the problems and opportunities for a skatepark in the area. Next comes the recruiting of the key stakeholders who with their blue sky thinking may sponsor, support, or play a part in running the skatepark. Better have a fact-finding mission to see how other skateparks are managed - preferably somewhere warm. After one or more meetings with funders the initial champions will develop their first concept or vision of what a local skatepark might be like, and discuss that informally with those who may be stakeholders. A development officer should be appointed to carry through the next stages of the process which basically means you've now got £25 quid left for a spade and a bit of tarmac. £200k - job done! [:)]
Originally posted by Andrew
I have not seen the plans, so this is comment may be ignorant, but can it really require £200,000 to build a skate park?
Reply ID 30220
Most of the above has already been done, unless of course you're just being facetious.
Reply ID 30228
Leo, you haven't mentioned any consultants. I started reading through the statement and rolled my eyes at the comment that Steve quoted. Unfortunately local government is full of people that don't live in the real world. Councillors are the worst.
Reply ID 35891
Any news on how the park is going? Last i heard is the council were throwing around the plans for various companies to consider.
Reply ID 35892
Refer to top of the link Veyron. Find out who runs the Skatepark group and speak to them. Try Marshalls bike shop. Try Bob Parker, Executive Member for Community, EHDC. Gotta beat jumping on bushes! Good luck.
Reply ID 35913
Here is a quote from one of my friends in the Skatepark Group. "the skate park will be happening this year as someone has been contracted to get the job done in a two satge program. that soeone is freestyle. i hear they are good and it will be concrete. £100,00 will be spent on the first stage. the rest will be raised over time." So it looks good, and sounds like that will be as good as it gets. Although with all the complications in the past i can't help but think this could potentially be another plan that will bring false hope to the BMX'ers and Skaters of Hertford although im fairly sure this will be the last time as this time they are not assholes like the bloke from sk8mk.
Reply ID 36014
I suppose an application to the National Lottery is out of the question by East Herts Council? If I've pasted the link correctly then http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_healthy_families_childs_play.htm?regioncode=-uk&status=theProg is an example of funding available for play schemes under the heading of "Healthy Families". I'd round up all age generations of the 60sDJ family, buy the requisite equipment/clothing/mp3 players etc and head for the playscheme skatepark....
Reply ID 36133
quote:Hertford already has a skatepark that is seemingly doing very well. To visit Hertford's Skate-arama, simply go to Tesco at about 2pm on Saturday afternoon. You will then be able to enjoy the artistic interpretation and technical merit of at least 5 young girls (last Saturday) who where whizzing around without a care for themselves or anyone else - on wheely trainers. The display started just inside the entrance in the full glare of the security and customer services desks who ignored it.
Originally posted by 60sDJ
I suppose an application to the National Lottery is out of the question by East Herts Council? If I've pasted the link correctly then http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_healthy_families_childs_play.htm?regioncode=-uk&status=theProg is an example of funding available for play schemes under the heading of "Healthy Families". I'd round up all age generations of the 60sDJ family, buy the requisite equipment/clothing/mp3 players etc and head for the playscheme skatepark....
Reply ID 36134
quote:My god - kids having fun? How dare they! Whatever next?
Originally posted by hector
Hertford already has a skatepark that is seemingly doing very well. To visit Hertford's Skate-arama, simply go to Tesco at about 2pm on Saturday afternoon. You will then be able to enjoy the artistic interpretation and technical merit of at least 5 young girls (last Saturday) who where whizzing around without a care for themselves or anyone else - on wheely trainers. The display started just inside the entrance in the full glare of the security and customer services desks who ignored it.
Reply ID 36187
quote:Just seen this...and beg to ask the question: Since when did a bunch of kids skating around inside a packed store on wheely trainers constitute fun? For them....probably....but not for the shoppers! If it was the case that this was being done in the full view of the customer service and security desks, why was nothing done to stop them, or is it the case that their fun takes precedence over the safety of customers trying to shop? Might it likely be the case that the staff were just too scared to confront them and ask them not to skate inside the shop, unreasonable as this request may have seemed! Tsk tsk - how could anyone want to stop kids from having fun skating inside a shop? Heaven forbid anyone should be hurt by their actions, but if anyone was, then perhaps during the course of suing Tesco they should be asked what they thought about stopping kids from having fun!
Originally posted by Jobyquote:My god - kids having fun? How dare they! Whatever next?
Originally posted by hector
Hertford already has a skatepark that is seemingly doing very well. To visit Hertford's Skate-arama, simply go to Tesco at about 2pm on Saturday afternoon. You will then be able to enjoy the artistic interpretation and technical merit of at least 5 young girls (last Saturday) who where whizzing around without a care for themselves or anyone else - on wheely trainers. The display started just inside the entrance in the full glare of the security and customer services desks who ignored it.
Reply ID 36209
A typically hysterical response from the Wife of Fish.
quote:Unlikely, as hector already pointed out that it was five young girls. Now, they would probably be able to beat the crap out of me, but a security guard and the tough old bird from behind the fag counter should have no trouble. Which sort of implies that they weren't *really* causing any trouble. To be fair to hector, my reaction to his post was a general frustration at sentiments that litter these forums (and the media in general) that automatically label kids as nuisances who should be kept quite, moved along and out of sight. It seems that people these days are simply unable to believe that kids--whatever they may be doing--aren't up to no good.
Originally posted by Fish Wife
Might it likely be the case that the staff were just too scared to confront them and ask them not to skate inside the shop, unreasonable as this request may have seemed!
Reply ID 36258
I didn't get the impression that Hector was implying that kids should be kept quiet, but there is sound credance in the belief that shops aren't playgrounds for skates, scooters, bikes etc.It is unaccceptable, not necessarily bad behaviour. Why have we become so 'afraid' to point out to kids that sometimes their behaviour isn't always acceptable i.e. whizzing around on wheely trainers in a packed store? Have we all become so hidebound by the attitude that kids must be able to express themselves no matter where, no matter when and no matter how that we put up with behaviour that is inappropriate? Skating in a shop is inappropriate. I was under the impression that staff in Tesco only react to complaints (and even that is hit and miss), which brings me back to being hidebound etc etc...... when perhaps they should quietly nip the situation in the bud before someone does get hurt or something gets damaged.
Reply ID 37172
Of course if one of those skaters came into contact with a shopping trolley at such a speed as to send said skater into an unintentional triple salco the shopper would be blamed for not handling the trolley correctly and responsibly. Oh let it be me, pleeease! [:D]
Reply ID 37178
Has anybody noticed that there are fewer skaterboys around lately? It's taken so long to build the park, the pastime seems to have gone out of fashion somewhat in the meantime.
Reply ID 37305
Yep. I noticed that too Shunt. I reckon the rot has set in. It's a massive shame. At least they have got multimedia to keep them going.
Reply ID 37319
quote:And I thought it was just me who'd noticed it... Perhaps when a youth interest reaches the point of white-hot forum debate then it is by definition 'spent'. With any luck we'll get back to the proper art of youth imagination - shop-lifting!
Originally posted by shunt
Has anybody noticed that there are fewer skaterboys around lately? It's taken so long to build the park, the pastime seems to have gone out of fashion somewhat in the meantime.
Reply ID 37336
It is the nature of adults that they misunderstand youth. The whole point of being a skaterboy is that it is a bit rebellious, out on the street, dissapproved of, a bit dangerous and renegade. A big part of the pastime is the building of ramps and the use of existing miniciple props, such as the war memorial as launch platforms. Hence there are skate parks up and down the country, huge concrete, official eyesores, which nobody ever uses except as after pub peeing zones.
Reply ID 37351
quote:The only one I have seen recently was in Harlow Town Park and it was very well used.
Originally posted by shunt
It is the nature of adults that they misunderstand youth. The whole point of being a skaterboy is that it is a bit rebellious, out on the street, dissapproved of, a bit dangerous and renegade. A big part of the pastime is the building of ramps and the use of existing miniciple props, such as the war memorial as launch platforms. Hence there are skate parks up and down the country, huge concrete, official eyesores, which nobody ever uses except as after pub peeing zones.
Reply ID 37362
quote:I'd have to conceed that. Harlow has been there since skateboards first appeared and does get used. It's a different demographic, however.
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:The only one I have seen recently was in Harlow Town Park and it was very well used.
Originally posted by shunt
It is the nature of adults that they misunderstand youth. The whole point of being a skaterboy is that it is a bit rebellious, out on the street, dissapproved of, a bit dangerous and renegade. A big part of the pastime is the building of ramps and the use of existing miniciple props, such as the war memorial as launch platforms. Hence there are skate parks up and down the country, huge concrete, official eyesores, which nobody ever uses except as after pub peeing zones.
Reply ID 37715
Not a solution but maybe a short fix. I think this happened last year. There will be a Temporary Skatepark in Ware Priory over Easter. 2-13 April. No info on Opening Times but contact No is 01920 460316.
Reply ID 44858
Not sure if being discussed elsewhere or even if this is the right place .. but .. there's a large section of Hartham cordoned off near the playground and looks like some work is going on. Is it the skatepark?
Reply ID 44859
quote:It is the skatepark.
Originally posted by Sargasso
Not sure if being discussed elsewhere or even if this is the right place .. but .. there's a large section of Hartham cordoned off near the playground and looks like some work is going on. Is it the skatepark?
Reply ID 44860
Press release from East Herts Council http://www.hertford.net/latest.asp
Reply ID 44899
Im pleased for the kids who will have somewhere to skate/hang out and I also understand why it is being placed in the open and in view of everyone (to deter vandals/crime etc happening). But...it will quickly be covered in grafitti and phallic pictues etc..believe me..they will find a paint that sticks..it will be the very first thing our children/visitors will see when the come to the park for Tennis/swimming/football. I'm not denying the need for it at all or have the answers, i just feel there will be a heavy price to pay visually a few yrs down the line in a place of such natural beauty and prominent position.
Reply ID 44900
I hope they will be resiting the two pieces of equipment they have removed to make way for it. These were great for older kids.
Reply ID 44914
quote:I understand the equipment will be resited and further equipment designed for teenagers is also planned.
Originally posted by newgirl
I hope they will be resiting the two pieces of equipment they have removed to make way for it. These were great for older kids.
Reply ID 44955
BMX is current (again), whereas skateboards are so yesterday. Wait a while, they may come back into fashion, or not. Skateboards always appeared more popular than they actually were and that popularity was artificially extended because it was a cheap present for those who didn't know what to buy. "Get him a skateboard. All kids like skateboards.....don't they?" My boys had them, so do my current partner's offspring. All of them sat in the shed until it was time to take them to the charity shop. The demand was originally created when seen on shows like Home and Away and Neighbours, but we don't live in surf culture. That's the problem with kids. Even a breakfast cereal, chosen on Saturday, will unliked by Thursday. A £1m concrete monument to a pastime a relatively small proportion of kids ever enjoyed, even at it's peak, and placed to cause maximum visual damage to the town's prime asset, seems a little too much to keep Toy-R-Us stocking boards at Christmas. We adults think kids like skateboarding. Apart from a few fanatics, few actually do.
Reply ID 44962
My son who is 20 has been skateboarding for at least 5 years and is not tired of it yet. It is not a cheap option - a board alone can cost £40 and will only last about a month and then there's the tracks, wheels etc. The cheap skateboard will not be bought by serious skaters. I think it's a shame that the timing of building the skate park is not good. Would have been better for the summer. Still at least there will somewhere for the skaters to go.
quote:
Originally posted by shunt
BMX is current (again), whereas skateboards are so yesterday. Wait a while, they may come back into fashion, or not. Skateboards always appeared more popular than they actually were and that popularity was artificially extended because it was a cheap present for those who didn't know what to buy. "Get him a skateboard. All kids like skateboards.....don't they?" My boys had them, so do my current partner's offspring. All of them sat in the shed until it was time to take them to the charity shop. The demand was originally created when seen on shows like Home and Away and Neighbours, but we don't live in surf culture. That's the problem with kids. Even a breakfast cereal, chosen on Saturday, will unliked by Thursday. A £1m concrete monument to a pastime a relatively small proportion of kids ever enjoyed, even at it's peak, and placed to cause maximum visual damage to the town's prime asset, seems a little too much to keep Toy-R-Us stocking boards at Christmas. We adults think kids like skateboarding. Apart from a few fanatics, few actually do.
Reply ID 44963
I think it's a wonderful project. It might encourage kids to try skeateboarding, as well as provide a place for the current boarders to go. I was over in Ware Priory watching the kids on the temporary skate ramp this summer. There were more kids on this than on the tennis courts, yet we provide and maintain public tennis courts.