In their dreams

I WAS saddened to hear that, yet again, the proposal for a new skatepark in Portishead has been turned down. Surely the amount of fund-raising that is being done by these youngsters - and people involved in the project - when there is nothing concrete for them to aim for and, at the moment, it is only in their dreams that one day there may be a skatepark in the town that is accessible to all and fit for purpose, must count for something. My brother was 'in to' skateboarding first time round. He's now 42. There was nowhere then suitable for him to ride his board and so he gave up, after our parents had forked out a lot of money for his equipment. My 17-year-old son, although he can drive, now works and doesn't have as much time as he would like to be able to go to Hengrove or Weston to use the parks there. The same goes for parents of younger children who wish to pursue the sport.It would make sense to provide something locally, saving people time and fuel and making youngsters more independent, as they would be able to get to the park themselves. Only a few pluses! This project could be achieved and, if done well, be a great success, if only all parties would get together. You cannot keep letting construction companies keep building houses and inviting families to live here if you are not willing to provide the youngsters with things they like to do. A decent skatepark would be a good place to start.Kilkenny Fields fits many of the criteria needed for such a project and the youngsters are keen, so please don't stick your head in the sand and hope they'll go away. It's time to start valuing our youngsters and give them a chance. You never know, one of them may well be looking after you in your old age. And on a really positive note, should this sport become an Olympic one, maybe the first gold medallist will originate from Portishead.C A GREGORY - Leigh View Road, Portishead