A SOLUTION to the problem of finding a suitable site for a new skate park in Portishead could be on the horizon.

As members of Portishead Skatepark Project (PSP) prepare to lobby North Somerset Council in a bid to re-open negotiations to site the facility at the town’s Lake Grounds, a Portishead businesswoman is looking at alternatives.

Former gym owner and mum-of-two Jayne Leaker says she is trying to think outside the box to bring young people of the town the facilities they have been crying out for.

The personal trainer who lives in Portishead said: “Both my sons enjoy scootering and we spend most weekends at out of town wheels parks. The people who first campaigned for a skate park are long gone, away at university and embarking on careers, I don’t want my children to be the next generation to miss out on this sporting activity in their own town.”

Jayne is now looking into the costs involved in turning a disused warehouse into a skate park similar to that of Motion in Bristol.

She added: “I see so many Portishead skaters and wheels users at Motion that I feel a project like that on our doorstep would get a great deal of support. I now need to see who is behind me if I pick up and run with the idea.”

Councillor Peter Burden, chairman of Portishead Town Council’s wheels park committee, says he welcomes the opportunity to hear more about the plans for an indoor skate park and looks forward to a meeting with Jayne.

However, a spokesman for PSP said they would be unlikely to enter in to any talks about a commercial skate park. He said: “This idea is outside our remit as we have always campaigned for a free outdoor facility for all the young people of our town to use.”