Helensburgh skatepark: Advertiser readers have their say

If it's not the abandoned pier, it's the long-running attempt to sell off the land next to it for a giant retailer to mask views of the Clyde and independent businesses.

So Argyll and Bute Council's latest move to kill off the waterfront skatepark got Advertiser tongues wagging.

The council said the former space for the skatepark was "not suitable" long term. Although it is part of an existing masterplan for the waterfront, the land was included for sale by the local authority.

Although there were some suggested alternative sites for the skatepark, the majority of comments by readers wanted it exactly where it was.

Lorna Arroll wrote: "Right where it was, high visibility, not tucked away."

READ MORE: Helensburgh waterfront site 'not suitable for skate park'

Lesley Rowan agreed and said: "The bit of free land where it used to be!"

While Iain Norrie said: "The whole area in front of the swimming pool should be made recreational including a skatepark, and not set aside for more commercial building to lay empty or be filled by another supermarket taking business away from local traders."

Some readers suggested Hermitage Park, though Sarah Smith added: "But good luck getting that past planning."

But a number of comments also suggested putting it on the pier itself.

Iain Guthrie told us: "Surely it’s an ideal place for it. Put it on the pier with other leisure facilities - make the town a tourist draw.

"Plus let’s support the shops that are already there rather than building retail and taking business away from them."

Margaret MacGillivray wrote on our Facebook: "A few years ago when the skatepark was given a refurbishment, a comment was made that it was a great idea having the skate park on the pier where it would provide a safe haven for energetic skaters to enjoy their sport while being covered by the CCTV system.

"I am sure there are many anxious parents who would love to know that there was somewhere semi-supervised for their youngsters to spread their wings. If the facility is going to be moved to a new site, then can the council provide CCTV coverage there?"

The skatepark facility in Montrose (Image: Beverley Clarke)

Beverley Clarke said she recently visited Montrose and shared a photo of their skatepark, measuring about 15m by 40m.

She added: "There would be more than enough space at the pier head for this."

Readers mentioned other communities around Scotland with skateparks - they're hardly rare or unique. They're a recognised facility for young people.

Readers were critical of the council's conclusions and their overall approach to the waterfront.

Alistair Crichton said: "They spent millions of pounds on a vanity project and couldn’t even factor in a skatepark for the kids.

"Pavements that turn into an ice rink in the cold and go slippery when it rains. And replaced the old swimming pool with one almost exactly the same but couldn’t stretch to fixing the pier. Great use of public money there guys."

He added a thumbs up so the council knows he approves.

Scott McMurray was more curt and said: "So it's suitable to build a pool in that holds how many tons of water yet it can't hold an empty bowl/pool to skate in?"

Susan Readhead put the debate in the context of the whole waterfront.

She said: "We don’t need new commercial units, bring down the rates for existing businesses and empty properties and encourage them to be used, and have the purpose-built skate/bmx/scooter facility built instead and a child friendly recreation area, as well as FIXING THE PIER!"

Council decisions about the waterfront are largely behind closed doors and it has prompted confusion with skatepark advocates who have fiercely fought to get it restored to the location.

And John Scullion wanted to see young people consulted.

He said: "Surely the best people to ask would be the children who would use it.

"Amazing yet not surprising how ignorant these reports can be. More money wasted on a report that will not serve the best interests of families in the area."

Frank Woolner bluntly summed up the overall problem: "You all complain there's nowhere for the kids to hang out then you take away all the places where the kids hang out."