Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Skate News - Yorkton

Thanks to Prairie Print Clipping for this article.

Skateboard park move and upgrade planned
Calvin Daniels - Yorkton This Week - June 29, 2005

The existing skateboard park appears to be on the move this summer, but where it ends up is likely to be only a temporary location awaiting plans for a major development within a few years.

The City of Yorkton has already set aside $60,000 from a centenary grant to purchase new skateboarding structures, but there was also a desire not to install the equipment at the current park on Foster Street.

Thursday city officials, including Mayor Phil DeVos, met with users of the park to discuss just how a new park should be developed. They Mayor said that at the top of the list for changes was location.

"This isn't the right location," he said, adding he favoured a downtown location. "We want to get the skateboard park out of this location number one."

The location the park is likely to move to later this summer is the empty lot directoy to the west of the fire hall on Smith Street.

The location provides access to trained personnel in the event of an injury occurring, is close to the RCMP office to stop vandalism, and has the high exposure of Smith Street.

The lot would be resurfaced and fenced at a cost of about $12,000, and then have $60,000 worth of skateboarding structure installed.

However, DeVos said ultimately the park could move again as plans are formulated for a park which could cost half a million dollars to be built somewhere in the not to distant future.

That's where public input is needed.

Terry Chornomud, who operates B3 Xtreme which sells skateboarding equipment in the city said any new park must be designed to meet the type of skating most local skaters pursue.

"The majority are street skaters," he said. "That's why all of us get chased off stuff (like steps in the city)."

It was also suggested that any new park be flexible in the sense that it be useable by in-line skaters and BMX bike riders too.

Boarder Aaron Kienle of Can Clothing said concrete means versatility.

"One hundred per cent cement provides a park everybody can use," he said.

Chornomud said while he appreciates a massive new park could take several years, younger skaters don't function with time the same way. He said to them talk of a new park "is like waiting for Christmas," and if they then hear three years, or longer, "they get all depressed because it's like waiting three years for Christmas."

He said if skateboarders came to Council with dollars in hand it could speed a new park being built.

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Skate News - Fort Qu'Appelle

Thanks to Prairie Print Clipping for this article

Skate Park Progress
Beth Grainger, on behalf of the Skate Park Committee - Letter to the Editor - Fort Qu'Appelle Times - June 21, 2005.

Editor:

The skate park project in Fort Qu'Appelle continues. We have had a large amount of monetary donations from organizations and businesses and to date over $23,000 has been raised. Donations in kind are also promised as well as additional cash donations once construction begins. Continued support through letters are welcome at this time for grants, etc. Currently blue prints are being purchased.

These are facts which needed to be shared to ensure the community is adequately informed about the skate park. Over the last two years responsible due diligence has been taken by the committee to put together factual information so that we will have a top notch, safe, well used skate park for our community.

Information has been gathered from other communities that have skate parks and this has been shared with all concerned parties to help choose a location. The location was chosen after careful consideration of these things: it must be on town property, and we must need safety, accessibility and visibility. The location east of the curling rink is the best option.

Concerns expressed by the local people have altered our plans to make sure that noise, garbage and other concerns are addressed. In addressing these concerns: large earth berms will be built as back-drops for the raised areas of the skatepark ensuring two things, the edge of the skate park has a safe ending area and they also act as a sound barrier. Sounds then on the cement are muffled. A tree hedge has been planned for the east side. A tree line already exists on the north side. Garbage is currently looked after by the Rexentre staff and town. Right now there is no more collection of garbage than there is in other public parts of town. The Rexentre staff and town cut the grass and pick up the garbage from these losts now...From the outset of the project the committee planned for garbage cans.

Previously in some communities graffiti was planned by the skate park building in conjunction with the community. The kids thought it was nice but in reality it is now discouraged from skate parks because it makes the cement too slippery. The local committee has heard the concerns and have every intention of discouraging graffiti including making it part of the rules.

The upkeep of a cement structure is very little. Most times youth using it will sweep off the dirt if it blows in or wash it in the spring, and indeed look after their facility. The project is not a burden to taxpayers - the amount raised so far shows full community support. It is not about taxpayers, business people or the committee.

It is about the kids and their needs. All recreational facilities enhance the property in the entire community. This will be no exception. Fort Qu'Appelle is one of the few growing towns and we must be progressive if we wish to maintain that growth. Let's pull together and complete this project for our kids and community.

Beth Grainger
On behalf of the Skate Park Committee