Estevan Park a Hit
News courtesty of Prairie Print Clipping Service. Estevan Mercury - Oct. 26, 2005
Now that they finally have a place to call their own, Estevan's skateboarding and BMX enthusiasts are making sure that the city's new skatepark is being put to good use.
The impressive facility opened last week and it has been an unqualified hit with users who have flocked to the park in droves.
Helen Fornwald, the manager of leisure services for the City, says they're thrilled with the public's response to the park which is located behind the Souris Valley Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
"Both the skateboarders and BMX bikers are very happy and say it's a lot of fun," said Fornwald. "We haven't had any negative comments yet about it."
Fornwald said that construction of the park went well with the lone exception being the snowfall that hit Estevan earlier this month and caused a brief delay.
She added that the finishing touches were expected to be done Tuesday morning.
"(Tuesday) morning we'll be doing the final concrete and we'll re-open on Wednesday. Then we'll be putting the final touches on a few more rails and the final thing will be the lighting."
Fornwald said to see how popular the park already is with users is very rewarding and she credits the volunteer committee for their work in helping the City make the park a reality.
"I can't thank the committee enough for all their expertise and their recommendations," she said. "I can't say enough about them and the volunteers who came out and helped with the installation and security, and I thank them greatly for that."
Darren Peterson, who was a member of the volunteer committee, said he is impressed with the park and feels it is superior to what other cities of Estevan's size have to offer.
"I think it's great and compared to similar sized towns and what they've got, it's better," he said.
"There's a great flow in here and a great layout, it's an awesome park. It'll be something that all the kids can look forward to and maybe we'll churn out some good skaters."
Welcome to Communities 4 Sk8rs
We are a coalition of residents and skateboarders in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. We believe:
- That skateboarding is a sport, art and culture of benefit to our city.
- That skateparks can and should be beautiful and accessible.
- That skateparks should be part of our community life and neighbourhoods, and not relegated to the edge of town.
- That youth should have equitable access to public space and quality recreational facilities.
- That skateboarding is a healthy, positive activity that only becomes ‘unhealthy’ in some eyes when it is shoved to the margins of society
Specifically, Communities 4 Sk8ers has come together to support the creation of a free public skatepark in North Les Sherman Park. We advocate this location because:
- It is centrally located.
- It is on a bus route.
- It is in an attractive, shady, wind-sheltered setting.
- It is in a supportive surrounding community that includes homes, neighbourhood centres, youth activities, schools and shops.
- It is surrounded by other recreational facilities that skaters’ family members can use.
- It is in a location that would encourage public viewing and therefore greater public support for and involvement in skateboarding.
- It would show our youth that they are valued by the community and have a place in public settings.
- It is in keeping with the park’s existing recreational focus (ball diamonds, soccer field, bike path, art centre, playground).
- After an extensive search, it was the highest-ranked choice of the City of Regina’s Skatepark Advisory Committee.
Contact Communities 4 Sk8ers
Prince Albert Skatepark Gets Boost
Prince Albert Herald - September 28, 2005
By Holly Wiberg
Thanks to Prairie Print Clipping for this article
As kids skateboarding the streets of Prince Albert, Adam Balon and Chad Levesque looked with envy to cities such as Calgary and Regina.
Those communities had parks specially designed for skateboarders and BMXers. Meanwhile in Prince Albert, skateboarders made do with streets, parking lots and areas such as Memorial Square infront of City Hall - places where skateboarders often weren't welcome.
Balon and Levesque are no longer skateboarding teens.
Balon, 28, owns Propaganda skatboard shop, located in the city's downtown, and Lvesque, 24, works at Gene's Sports Excellence.
At a press conference Wednesday at City Hall, the Prince Albert Skateboard/BMX Association pledged to raise $50,000 for a skate park in Prince Albert.
The group plans to raise money through a lottery, Balon said. However, other fundraising events are possible.
"We felt it is something that's super necessary for our community," Balon said.
Prince Albert Mayor Jim Stigliz praised Balon, Levesque and company for their initiative and the ownership they're taking in the project.
"I'm very, very proud of these young individuals," Stilgitz said, adding he's confident they'll reach their target.
Stilgitz urged the public to support the campaign.
Balon looks forward to the park becoming a reality. Both he and the mayor are hopeful construction of the park, set for Prime Minister's Park, will begin in spring 2006.
Once it's done, Levesque said the facility should be an area that everyone can enjoy, not just skateboarders. He said the facility will have a park-like feel and incorporate many of the skateboarders' favourite elements from the urban landscape - stairs, ledges and hand rails, for example.
The total cost of building the skatepark won't be known until the design is done, but the subcommittee has projected it at $500,000.
Meeting with Mayor Requested
Communities 4 Sk8rs sent a letter to Mayor Pat Fiacco on September 28 requesting a meeting. The letter points out that Mayor Fiacco met privately with residents opposed to the skatepark, and therefore he should be just as eager to meet with skatepark supporters. As of October 7, no reply has been forthcoming.
