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03
Aug 2022
Ripon youth charities hindered by restricted access to skate and bike park
Two youth charities aiming to engage Ripon's young people in positive activities believe they are being hindered by restricted access to recreational facilities.
Fencing installed at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre has made the skate and bike park at Camp Close a no-go area for Inspire Youth's support vehicle and the outreach sessions delivered from it.
The skate park adjacent to the leisure centre has, in previous years, provided a focal point for meeting with so-called 'hard to reach' children.
Jess Ward, founder and chief executive of Inspire Youth, told the Stray Ferret:
Jess Ward, CEO of Inspire Youth (right) is pictured at the Hell Wath football coaching session with Chloe Hickson of Harrogate Town FC (centre) and, from the left, Inspire's Jodie Edwards, Marie Anderson and Lizzy Wickens
Ms Ward added:
Jayne Shackleton, Ripon YMCA's community and development manager, said that young people had told the charity that they miss Inspire Youth's outreach sessions and want to see them back at the skate park.
She added:
The original £10.2 million contract for the leisure scheme was to provide a new six-lane swimming pool, a fully refurbished leisure centre, children's playground, a car park with charging points, in addition to restoration of the football pitch and landscaping of the site.
No ball games this summer at the Camp Close site
More than 14 months after the scheme was initially scheduled for completion, the project is almost £5 million over budget and further, as yet, undisclosed monies are to be committed by Harrogate Borough Council for ground stabilisation work under the leisure centre and provision of a temporary gym on site, while that work is carried out.
In the meantime, the playing fields donated in perpetuity by Alderman Wade for 'the benefit of the children of Ripon' will remain fenced off.
Last week, however, with the support of Ripon Panthers Junior Football Club and Harrogate Town FC coach Chloe Hickson, Inspire Youth organised coaching sessions at Hell Wath and other locations are being sought.
What did the council have to say?
A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said that Inspire Youth and the YMCA have not been denied access to the site.
They added:
In response to the Stray Ferret's question about when children will be able to play football once more at Camp Close, the spokesperson, said:
The council spokesperson, added:
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