A St Helier deputy is demanding the old Jersey Gas site be used to address a 'dire lack' of indoor space for teenagers in town.
Deputy David Warr is asking the States to agree there be temporary facilities such as a skatepark, climbing wall and pump track there while a youth centre is built nearby.
Plans were unveiled in April, but it won't be ready before summer 2028.
Deputy Warr believes children need an indoor space to play and socialise whilst that project, which is three years from completion, is in the works.
In his proposal, he suggests the 'wasteland' - including the former gas showroom - could be used as an indoor skatepark, with a climbing wall and an outdoor pump track made out of tarmac.
"By the end of 2025, the biggest free indoor space on the Island, Fort Regent, will close for 3 years.
"We have already seen the loss of Tamba Park in St. Lawrence, and this year will see the closure of Amaizin Maze.
"We’ve seen the closure of the town skate park some 18 months ago with not even a meanwhile pop-up alternative - just another plan for an expensive and inconveniently located skate park at South Hill, albeit rather sooner than a refurbished Fort or Ann Street youth centre.
"By the end of 2025, there will be absolutely no free indoor provision in St. Helier for 5,000 children.
"It’s quite extraordinary and it angers me to think that this is being allowed to happen.
"The health and well-being of our teenage population, which is already problematic post-COVID, is being compromised. That doesn’t just affect them, it affects all of us."
The former gasworks site is earmarked for a new primary school, although earlier this month the town Constable Simon Crowcroft lodged his own proposal for a rethink. He wants more parkland.
Read: Future use of former town gas site put into question
Deputy Warr's proposition asks the Treasury Minister to 'request Andium Homes to work with such stakeholders to develop and implement ‘meanwhile’ use of the site that will be beneficial to the community'.
He thinks it could be funded by donations, sponsorship and 'goodwill'
Draft law scraps time limits on abortions in Jersey
Divide over approach to gender guidance in schools
Three charities awarded £500 grants in community campaign
Ministers back principle of social media 'restrictions' for under 16s
Passengers rerouted through Jersey Airport departures
A total ban on disposable vapes in Guernsey and Jersey is poised to take full effect
Islanders with COVID-19 symptoms reminded to avoid the hospital
2025 was the fourth warmest year on record
