THE skateboarders on the Isle of Wight are viewed as a problem by many residents - as they prefer to skate on the streets rather than making use of skate parks.

But the skateboarders could be in for a real treat within the next couple of years if a proposed international standard skate park is given the go-ahead.

The project is being worked on by Wight Leisure and aims to offer the Island's skaters the best facilities.

Neil Roberts, of Wight Leisure, said: "The project being worked on by Wight Leisure at present is to undertake a research and consultation process into the sustainability of an international standard indoor and outdoor extreme sports centre for the Isle of Wight.

"The research process will seek views from across the Island community as to what the centre should contain and the design and make-up of the centre. There will be a public consultation process that involves a Wheeled Extreme Sports Weekend on January 25 and 26, 2003, when Team Extreme will visit the Island.

"Team Extreme, an international standard team of skaters and riders, will give demonstrations of their skills in Newport, Ryde, Ventnor and Cowes, which will provide an opportunity to raise the profile of the project while allowing views to be sought from those who attend.

"The key to the process at this point, is whether the Island can indeed sustain such a centre and the research and consultation process, that will end in April 2003, should help answer this very question.

"Previous research has shown skating is very popular on the Island, and across the country. Two surveys of youth opinion undertaken by the Connexions Service for the Isle of Wight and The Isle of Wight Council, place wheeled extreme sports in the top three participative sports on the Island for young people alongside football and swimming.

"The need for this type of centre is strong and well documented, particularly as it would offer an all-weather facility for users in this area. Also, the centre is not to act as a replacement for the smaller, more localised facilities. Indeed, it is the view of Wight Leisure that more of these types of facilities are needed."

A recent crackdown on nuisance skateboarders was launched on the Island, when council chiefs introduced bylaws which would regulate the use of skateboards on paths and roads.

Neil believes an indoor and outdoor skate park will combat the problem of street skating.

He said: "As with any group of individuals, there are always a few who do not behave in a way that others think is appropriate.

"The vast majority of wheeled extreme sports participants are not in this category and the problems they face are lack of the facilities to undertake their sporting activity.

"If the centre becomes a reality, it will help wheeled extreme sports participants in a managed and fun environment."

But the new park will not mean that the other skate parks around the Island will have to close down.

Neil added: "It is the view of Wight Leisure and the Isle of Wight Council that these types of facilities are absolutely necessary across the Island and it would be hoped that such a centre would help support the other, smaller facilities.

"Also the centre would increase the potential user base of the facilities as skills will be developed, acquired and cascaded across the sports fraternity."

The Island's skateboarders have been demanding proper facilities for a long time now and are pleased they might finally be getting international standard facilities.

Colin White, manager of Revolver, a skateboard and BMX shop in Ryde, said: "I have been into skateboarding since 1979.

"Even now the facilities for skaters on the Island are not great. In a way, with the amount of skate parks on the Island I guess we are quite well catered for, as we have skate parks in West and East Cowes, Newport, Freshwater and Ventnor.

"But all of these skate parks are pretty small. Even the most popular one at West Cowes is tiny.

"We have all heard the rumours of the proposed indoor park and it will be fantastic if it is built because no one wants to use the outdoor parks when it is cold and wet.

"I prefer to street skate as there is more variety and it is more of a challenge. It is far more accessible. The skate parks get boring after a while as they can be limiting. I don't want to use the same skate park all the time.

"There is a large skate community, I don't know if that is because the Island is a small place or because the kids feel the boredom here more and turn to skateboarding to relieve it.

"More money needs to be spent on offering the Island's skaters better facilities.

"The introduction of bylaws to regulate the use of skateboards on paths and roads is out of order.

"I've heard of a few people having their skateboards confiscated which is ridiculous. The bylaws won't stop skateboarders from enjoying skating."