Every two or three months, the issue of the creation of the Saintes skatepark interferes in the debates of the Tubize municipal council. This was again the case this Monday, May 10, when Annie Meynen clarified “not to criticize the work of the volunteers, but after four years, it is time for the project to end”.
The elected RC (opposition) specified that the volunteers had come in March to do “a small piece of the upper part of the ramps and add two piles of concrete at the entrance to the skatepark. I’m not sure if this is allowed in terms of compliance rules, because a stretcher would no longer be able to pass through. I have also noted several concrete bars protruding.”
The councilor added that access to the site was prohibited for security reasons but that the rear had not been blocked, unlike the entrance, where barriers were installed. “Putting up barriers rather than finishing it, to say that the City is taking responsibility in the event of an accident, I also find that limiting.” She also fears that the grass growing on the fitness equipment, right next to it, will damage the equipment.
Michel Januth, the mayor (éB), is tired of all the criticism, generally well-founded, concerning this issue. “I’m fed up with this skatepark. I really wish that we could inaugurate it on the announced date, before the holidays. I understand that they are volunteers and that they are attached to this project, but I’m fed up. It’s the last time they come. If they don’t finish the job when we order the concrete from them, we’ll do it ourselves for the holidays.”
The availability of young people is limited, which explains the slowness. But the patience of the authorities therefore has its limits.
“The blocks of concrete which were placed at the front, they are used to block vehiclesindicated Sports Alderman Walter Baseggio (éB). They saw tire marks and took action. Everything in the back has been cleaned. When the skatepark is finished, the works department will be responsible for cleaning everything thoroughly and installing tables and benches so that people can picnic there. I asked to have a meeting with the volunteers to set the date of their next visit. There are still seven to eight meters of concrete to place.”
The first date given by the authors for the end of the project was… March 2021. “I met skaters who told me it will be fantastic”Annie Meynen still conceded.
