Onchan District Commissioners are seeking views of the community regarding the future of Onchan Park and the facilities provided. The consultation runs until the 30th March 2017 and the Commissioners welcome comments and submissions before this date.
“Onchan Park is a successful community leisure facility for members of the community and visitors” says Kathryn Williams, Lead Member for Properties and Amenities at Onchan District Commissioners, “it provides traditional attractions such as a boating lake, crazy golf, a children’s play park as well as a football stadium and stock car track. In addition it also has a successful restaurant and a traditional park cafe, bowling greens and pitch and putt”.
An area such as Onchan Park does require on-going investment to ensure that the facilities provided continue to meet the needs of the community. The Board members recognise this type of facility will always require some support from the rates, however, investment to change the mix of facilities within the park will hopefully reduce support from the rates and make the whole area more sustainable for the future.
The consultation paper suggests a number of substantive changes could be made within the park including;
• A proposed remodelling of Nivision stadium to increase accessibility and maximise the community use of the facility and allow the development to a community sports facility and the creation of a “clubhouse” with new changing facilities;
• Investment in the cafe and restaurant area to upgrade facilities or create a new building;
• Creation of multi-sport all weather facilities in the main park area;
The Board of Onchan District Commissioners are aware of their responsibility to provide community facilities and consider that Onchan Park is valued by residents and visitors. “In order to ensure that this area continues to be well used and appreciated by the community, the Commissioners wish to refresh their medium to long term view” says Miss Williams. “Nothing has been decided by the Board, so we look forward to reviewing all the ideas and suggestions made during the consultation”.
The Commissioners would welcome ideas and suggestions from the community of Onchan regarding their views for the future of the park as part of a public consultation which will run until the 30th March 2017.
There will be many ways in which you can express your views about the future of the Onchan Park:-
• talk to one of the Commissioners representing the community of Onchan;
• write or email to the Commissioners Offices at Hawthorn Villa;
• attend one of the Commissioners Surgeries;
• message the Commissioners via Facebook or Twitter @OnchanDC.
There will also be the opportunity to meet the Commissioners or one of the officers to discuss the consultation at Harvey Briggs Library in Onchan on Saturday 18th March during the opening times - 9:30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4:30pm.
