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

posted by Communities 4 Sk8ers @ 8:39 PM

1 Comments:

At 12:38 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Update on the Ft QuAppelle skatepark saga: The skatepark advisory committee's location mentioned in this letter was rejected by Mayor Ron Osika, who thought the land in question had too much potential value for development. The town council decided to put the park on the school grounds instead. But on September 13 the school came back with "no thanks", because they would lose a ball diamond and require daytime supervision. The mayor and council have vowed to show up at the next school board meeting to press their point. In the meantime, there's still no place to skate.

 

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