Charles Abela, Sliema.
When the skateboarding stops
Last Saturday afternoon, I happened to be passing by the skate board/BMX arena at the Msida roundabout and, stopping to take a look, I was taken aback by what I saw.
The place was quite well patronised by young people all equipped with skateboards and bicycles but activity was lacking as those present, young cigarette-smoking boys and half-naked girls, were more intent on fooling about in groups than actually making use of their equipment. Moreover, I noticed a middle-aged man, lying face up on the side, rolling cigarettes(?). It seems that this supposed sports venue is becoming more of a meeting place for mixed groups, in a semi-secluded place, without any control or supervision whatsoever.
On moving on, I could not but envisage the dissolute atmosphere therein under cover of night. Furthermore the place is unhealthy due to the excessive pollution caused by the heavy passing traffic.
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James Hodgson
Apr 29th 2008, 20:33
I am a skateboarder, i go to subway every weekend, and every other day i can. I don't see anything wrong with subway. So what if people are smoking or rolling cigarettes, i smoke so what?
Pollution rises so Msida will be clean as a whistle as all the toxins move up through the air. As for safety equipment i don't use it, it weighs you down and gets in your way.
But you are right on one comment : The girls are just too annoying they always get in your way!
But subway is perfect for skaters, it is built for them, so just get used to it!
patricia mifsud
Apr 10th 2008, 22:25
Whenever I go past the skatepark, I shudder to see those youngsters without proper safety helmets. If they watched the TV channels showing their favourite sport, they'd immediately notice that all wear helmets and other safety equipment. Don't they have some association which could encourage them to wear helmets etc.... before someone gets seriously hurt?
Mark Grech
Apr 10th 2008, 13:19
What doesn't need supervision or control here in Malta? Driving? Hunting and trapping of wild birds? Manufacture of fireworks? Letting off fireworks? Horse riding? Queuing? What else? Everything?
Hadrian Agius
Apr 10th 2008, 12:47
I agree 100%. I live very close to this place and i pass from there frequently. This place was supposed to be run by the skateboarders association but it's filthy. The tunnels leading to the road are full of rubbish and last week i also saw a syring. I appeal to the responsible minister to either close this thing or at least make some sort of supervision.
Chris Barbara
Apr 10th 2008, 12:27
Apparently some people will be "taken aback" by just about anything! I'm sure the description of people "more intent on fooling about in groups than actually making use of their equipment" would fit the population of most sports venues. Besides, the skatepark is hardly a "semi-secluded place", what with being bang in the middle of a busy arterial road junction, and under the scrutiny of towering apartment blocks on either side. I'm sure there are many other far more secluded areas in the country that need surveillance more urgently than the skatepark.
Liam Kelly
Apr 10th 2008, 11:26
tear it all up and replace it with something useful...trees to sap up all the CO2 and emissions from the cars