Plans to build a skatepark on the West Shore are moving closer to fruition.
New Line Skateparks Inc., the company tasked with coming up with designs, recent released final designs for the park to be located at West Shore Parks and Recreation on the grassy knoll next to the golf course and pro shop and across from The Q Centre.
The designs cater to all levels, as well as BMXers and scooters, and include an open concept, street-style area, a deep 10-foot bowl, stairs with handrails and hubbas, a flat bar rail and roll-in waves, among other things.
“It’s trying to make it as versatile a skatepark as possible. Making it as alluring to advanced skaters as it is permissive and accessible to beginner skateboarders too,” said Jimmy Miller, president of the Westshore Skatepark Coalition, an organization dedicated to the creation of new skateparks on the West Shore.
“We’ve made something that will be appealing to all types of users … We want it to be utilized by different types of people. With that type of accessibility there is that possibility of programming and mentoring.”
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Plans have been in the works to build a new skatepark for some time. In 2015, the West Shore’s only skatepark located behind the old Belmont school was torn down, leaving skateboarders to travel to other parts of the region, such as Vic West and Sidney to continue their passion.
Earlier this year, West Shore Parks and Recreation selected New Line to come up with designs for the skatepark. The company hosted several public consultations on the proposed designs which Miller said drew hundreds of people, who provided input both in person and online.
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Now with the designs finalized, the biggest hurdle the coalition will face is funding. New Line estimates it will cost roughly $600,000 to build – money which the coalition will be responsible for raising for the project to move ahead.
While Miller said skateboarding may just be a sport to some, for others it’s an intense passion, and the facility is one that is much-needed in the western communities.
“This is our big fundraising step. This is where we start appealing to the general public and some of the other non-profit groups in ways of building this up,” said Miller, noting the coalition is optimistic and pleased with the way things have unfolded so far.
“With people moving to the area in my personal opinion, there should be more facilitation for youth and free facilitation for youth. Once this gets built, there won’t be a cost associated to use it. A skate park is a skate park, come one, come all.”
To see the final designs or to get in touch with the coalition visit westshoreskateboarding.com.
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