Design concepts are in for new skatepark

The town has finally received the concept designs for the community's ambitious new skatepark project that will be built on the grounds of the Innisfail Aquatic Centre.

Skateboarders and BMX riders have been anxiously awaiting the concept designs from the Calgary office of New Line Skateparks ever since the company facilitated a well-attended open house last April for the community's first Skatepark Design Workshop.

“They will be really happy to see that this is happening and it will be out soon. They are anxiously waiting,” said Coun. Doug Bos at council's regular meeting on Aug. 22.

Town council was presented with two concept drawings, along with an administration recommendation that it approve the skatepark's future site on the green space on the north side of the horseshoe pitch facility on the aquatic centre grounds. Henry Wong, the town's director of community services, said the site of the current antiquated skatepark along 50 Street was also looked at but the aquatic centre, located at the intersection of 42 Street and 51 Avenue, was preferred. He said a site survey and geotechnical study was then completed with results forwarded to New Line to help with its concept designs.

Council approved the recommended location and directed administration to move forward with a final design proposal, which will include additional community input for a second open house, likely to be scheduled for October.

“We are one step closer to the final project,” said Mayor Brian Spiller, a huge supporter of the project. “In order to move forward we have to choose a final design with all the (features) that are going to go into it and get a price tag and figure out if we can afford that price tag or if we are going backwards again.

“But at this point we will look at the two designs and see which one we like better and go forward,” added the mayor.

Meanwhile, council members raised several questions to Wong about the concept drawings, which were received by the town from New Line just earlier in the day.

Bos noted they were not detailed enough to show whether the designer considered having lighting over the park, noting it becomes darker in October when weather conditions are still favourable for skateboarding.

Wong pointed out the concept designs were just “general ideas” and the skateboarder and BMX communities would be making additional comments as to what features for the new park should be priorities. However, he did note there is some street lighting in close proximity to the aquatic centre site but conceded it may not be enough to illuminate the skatepark area.

Bos also wanted to know whether the two designs had attached price tags, but Wong emphasized no cost figures can be released until final concept adjustments are proposed after further community input. In the meantime, council has approved the Innisfail Kinsmen and the Kinette Club of Innisfail to take the lead for community fundraising for the new skatepark, which could cost up to $500,000.

Coun. Gavin Bates asked Wong if limited hours of operation was considered, pointing out the adjacent Innisfail and District Historical Village might have some concerns as officials are trying to promote weddings inside the facility.

“We could put a fence around it but that is an additional cost,” said Wong, adding there are skateboard facilities that do have fencing but primarily because of their proximity to major roadways. “Skateboarding by the nature of their culture is free spirited, so to put a fence around it would be almost like enclosing them and it sort of goes against the grain of the culture of the sport.”

In the meantime, the town has sent written notice to groups that may be impacted by the chosen aquatic centre location, including Chinook's Edge School Division, the historical village and the Innisfail Horseshoe Club.

Helen Dietz, the town's chief administrative officer, said letters would also go out to owners of nearby residential properties, who will also be asked for their input.

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