The town has taken a huge step forward on its long-awaited intention to build a modern skateboard park that would rival all others in Central Alberta.
And town council was told five community service groups are anxious to step up to the plate to fundraise for the project, which could ultimately cost up to $500,000 to build.
“It's a segment of the population that we've more or less, not ignored, but we haven't given them a (top) quality piece of infrastructure to skateboard on,” said Mayor Brian Spiller, who has long advocated for a modern top level skateboard facility for the community. “The one we have here, compared to what other towns have, we are far behind the times and we're trying to catch up.”
At council's regular meeting on March 14, Henry Wong, the town's director of community services, recommended to council to award a $9,850 contract to Calgary's New Line Skateparks Inc. to design a concept for the new skateboard park, one which would replace the community's antiquated facility along 50 Street near Napoleon Lake.
New Line Skateparks' bid for the contract was one of four received by the town, and it was not the lowest. Vancouver's Spectrum Skateparks' bid came in at $7,180, but Wong told council his recommendation for New Line was based on its history in the industry, closer proximity to the town and stellar references.
“In speaking with project coordinators from some of the municipalities, the feedback on the services provided by New Line Skateparks was nothing but positive,” said Wong, whose report to council stated the company had past involvement with skatepark projects in Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Stettler, Lacombe, Blackfalds, Red Deer and Ponoka.
Before council unanimously approved Wong's recommendation, members were told the process would also include setting up a community design workshop, with the skateboarding community and local service clubs invited to be part of the design process.
“Once the design is completed and we have an approved design, we will bring the community back again and initiate involvement in fundraising activities,” said Wong, who told council that while New Line's work will produce conceptual drawings they would not be ones for construction.
Spiller told council that mere hours before the March 14 council meeting a representative from the Innisfail Kinsmen Club and the Kinette Club of Innisfail told him the service groups wanted to fundraise for the project.
“The two clubs together would like to spearhead this project and work with you (Wong),” said Spiller, adding over the past two years he's received the same message from the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion, Innisfail Lions Club and Rotary Club of Innisfail.
And council was told a lot of money – hundreds of thousands of dollars -- must be raised to have a facility that would rival ones now in operation in Olds and Red Deer.
Wong said some councillors have reviewed some of New Line's past projects and many cost in the $400,000 and $500,000 range. “And they are big parks,” said Wong.
However, Coun. Doug Bos noted fundraising in other towns for a first-class skateboard park has proved successful. He said a past employee of his at Discovery Wildlife Park, who was once involved in a skateboard park project in Lacombe, told him the town's fundraising drive became a positive community-building event.
“They organized everybody. They organized kids for fundraising. Everybody really felt part of it all,” said Bos.
A key part of the process will be site selection, and Wong said there is a couple the town is already considering. However, he told council members the location issue will ultimately be dependent on the features the skateboarding community wants included.
“Depending on how many features they (skateboarders) want will basically judge how big the facility will look like. That being said, we then go and look at our proposed sites and see if they could actually fit into those sites,” said Wong. “If the site is big enough without making alterations to other parts of the facility, then we are good, but if the footprint is actually bigger and requires we move into another area and have to relocate that amenity, then that's a discussion we will have to have.”
With the future consultation process expected to go into summer, and with fundraising likely continuing at the same time, Spiller said the project could take some time to become a reality.
“The process we are going to go through might take us through the summer, and we might build it next year by the time we get the funds and the proper project design and the site location chosen,” said Spiller. “But by taking our time to do it right, hopefully we will do it right.”
Mayor Brian Spiller
"The one we have here, compared to what other towns have, we are far behind the times and we're trying to catch up."
