Communities For Skaters

Skate News - Prince Albert

Thanks to Prairie Print Clipping for this news article.

One vote for a skateboard park
Columnist Nestor Hrychiuk - Prince Albert Daily Herald - July 8, 2005.

Some observations: What to do with $700,000? The city wants public input and the federal government has earmarked that amount as a centennial grant celebrating the province's 100th birthday.

City council's original plan approved by a 5-4 vote to move the museum, arts and youth centre, was met with more criticism than some on the council anticipated.

During the museum-arts-youth centre debate the skateboard park proposal was often thrown into the mix. Council appears to favour a permanent park but wants input from supporters and some financial assistance. Void of any ideas, it seems to me that a skateboard park would be a perfect fit for a legacy project. It has the support of many and would finally give the sport more legitimacy than it has today. It is a sport that is more popular than most of us envision. We see kids on the sidewalks, steps of buildings, etc., and as a result develop an unfavourable attitude toward them. Yet there are excellent facilities for hockey, soccer and football and nothing permanent for skateboarders.

If given a vote I'd recommend that the grant be designated for a skateboard park that has been talked about and debated for a number of months. It would provide another outlet for young people to gather and demostrate and simply enjoy a sport most of us denigrate. Unless an idea comes up to top a skateboard park encourage council to take this step.

Have a good weekend, eh?

posted by Communities 4 Sk8ers @ 7:34 PM