Reaction to the potential skate park from the public has been slow in developing but citizens have weighed in on the Town of Innisfail Facebook page.
Concerns have been raised over vandalism and drug abuse at a new skateboard park, but reaction is mixed from boarders and parents.
Brennen Merry, Innisfail teenager, posted “This got me so stoked” and then later in response to negative comments about skateboarders replied, “Why jump to conclusions about how the youth is going to vandalize and ruin a great skate park if built? We haven't been given the chance to show anyone.” Monica Murray posted “I think the point is to build a skate board park the youth can be proud of, if they take part in the whole process of helping to design the park they will take care of it.”
Monica Gurbuz of Innisfail Parks and Recreation told the Province “there has been no feedback from the public that I have received from anyone yet, but it does not mean they aren't talking about that.”
Mayor Brian Spiller echoed that comment.
“No one has approached me yet, but I believe that council has gotten a few comments.”
While the presentation solicited an enthusiastic response from councillors and the attending members of the public, an official committee has yet to be drawn up to examine the feasibility of an improved skateboard facility.
Coun. Mark Kemball went one step further.
“What we learned about the entire process from Jim Barnum of Spectrum Skate park Creations Ltd., was that it is not a short one. As he outlined in his presentation, we have much to consider. We have to strike a committee to move us through the process. There will have to be consultation with user groups, funding groups, and the community at large. From that, we will have to determine size of the park, location of the park, and that is only the beginning.”
Kemball added, “I think an improved skateboard park is overdue and necessary. To make it work, and to make it successful, there will have to be buy-in from the community. From the public meeting, I think we will have that. Barnum did an excellent job of educating the kids, and councillors about modern skate parks. He engaged the youth, and his offer of coming out to help us through the process will make a big difference.”
Barnum offered his perspective. “I have seen parks take anywhere from six months to six years to design and build from the initial meeting. The average seems to be around two years. In terms of the Innisfail park, it will take as long as it takes to build a park that boarders can be proud of.”
Terry Welsh, director of community and protective services, agreed. “We don't want to build false expectations on any time frame, but take this one step at a time. The committee comes first, and once that happens, we can make more informed comments.”
Citizens interested in being part of the skateboard park initiative can contact Gurbuz at 403-227-3376 or email her at [email protected]..
