Innisfail town council, in an impromptu meeting attended by skateboarders and parents, gave the go ahead to begin the process of building a new skate park for local youth.
Brian Toliver, 14, of Innisfail, was excited at the prospect of a new, safer facility to skateboard. “I have only been skating for a couple of years, and am very excited at the prospect of a new park with different areas to skate on.”
Jim Barnum, president of Spectrum Skatepark Creations Ltd, had met with town council on Nov. 4 and was invited back to present a plan to community stakeholders at a special meeting on Nov. 7. The plan is to replace the current dilapidated outdated facility near Centennial Park.
Attended by a dozen youth, and their parents, the presentation by Barnum was enthusiastic, and very well received.
“We have built skateboard parks around the world, in China, Israel, Ontario, the United States, and are now starting to build more parks in Alberta,” said Barnum. “We are just now starting to plan a park in Springbrook, and this was a good time to meet with Innisfail town council to kick start their process.”
Terry Welsh, director of community and protective services, said he had a prior mutually beneficial professional relationship with Barnum.
“I worked with Jim when I was in Brooks and he helped us design and build a very popular skateboard park there,” said Welsh. “The process took time, and we got moved around a few times. “
Barnum went through a presentation that addressed a process that Brooks used, and that Springbrook is using now to design, build, and fund its park. He addressed the myths associated with skateboarders and skateparks.
“Skateparks are just not for kids,” he told the crowd. “My friend is 50, and he still skateboards. They are not noisy; actually, they are quieter than conversations a half block away. If they are designed well, they are not dumpy, but add aesthetics to an area. Skateboarding is safer than fishing, but skateboarders don't go to hospitals when they hurt themselves. They get up and skate on. I can say with certainty, from 30 years of skating, that boarders are good kids. “
He continued to point out that skateboard parks reach the youth in a positive way. “During our design process, we involve the youth to help us include elements that they want to use. They are allowed to draw, to dream, and we engage their energy to help the community raise awareness and funds for the park.”
Welsh spoke about the build process as he remembers it in Brooks. “When we built the Brooks park, we had been given a wet area for the park, but had to excavate five feet down, then build up for soil stability for the course. Now, for us in Innisfail, we have the opportunity to find a suitable location so we can decrease the final cost.”
Barnum added his experience to the discussion.
“In any community we have built in, we find that local businesses often donate material either at cost, or at no cost,” he said. “As a proper build requires landscaping, gravel layering, and drainage features, those elements, if donated contribute strongly to any project. In some cases, we have seen up to a 50 per cent decrease in funds required.”
He then outlined what the community could expect with project costs.
“Skateboard park design/build costs anywhere from $45 to $50 per square foot, depending on the amount of work required. For an average park in Alberta, 10,000 square feet of course and trick sites, the cost can be up to $500,000 without fund raising,” said Barnum. “Of course, that changes as the park design changes. Government grants help, and the sooner you start the process, the sooner you can begin design.”
At the end of the meeting, it was apparent the youth present at the meeting wanted a new skatepark, and were willing to help fundraise, and be part of the process.
Welsh said the town would begin the process of looking at grants, and striking a committee to develop a new skatepark.
“The process needs to be collaborative on all levels, and we look forward to the youth being involved to build their turf, with their input,” said Welsh.
