Delburne Centralized School (DCS) hosted its first skate competition since a group of its students raised enough money to replace their local park.
Twenty students from six schools in Chinook's Edge School Division participated in the inaugural Ghost Ryder Invitational Competition on June 1, including Westglen Middle School (Didsbury), Didsbury High School, Ecole Fox Run Middle School (Sylvan Lake), Innisfail High School and Bowden Grandview School.
DCS defended its home turf, winning the aggregate trophy for finishing with the most points.
This event was made possible through two years of hard work by DCS students, who in addition to helping with the design of the skatepark, raised $320,000 toward its construction.
In 2014, a group of them took their vision of a new skatepark to the Delburne Futures Committee, a local organization that helped them take the steps towards building one.
They first created a group called the Ghost Ryders, responsible for leading the project.
“We had to get rid of the old skatepark. It wasn't safe anymore. We wanted to build something better for the community," said Devin Wall, a Grade 11 student.
The student-led body came with an elected board of directors and Wall currently serves as the vice-president. The governance model helped them organize as they made decisions, fundraised and pursued grants.
“We wanted these guys to learn what was really involved with building the skatepark. We weren't going to do it for them,” said Stephen Banks, DCS vice-principal and school liaison for the Ghost Ryders.
As well, they now have a structure in place for other students to follow. They are currently trying to build upon their 14 members, from Grade seven and up.
“Once I graduate, that gives the opportunity for someone younger to take my position or even the vice-president of the Ghost Ryders and continue this group,” said Josh Beler, Grade 12 student and president of the group.
The Ghost Ryders presented to sponsors and Delburne council, which they found nerve-racking at first but became more comfortable with as time went on.
The skatepark, constructed by New Line Skateparks, held its grand opening in July 2015.
“Every step of the way, these guys were part of the process. If (community liaison) Brenda Smith was doing an application through the Futures Committee, these guys were part of that process. She never opened envelopes until you guys were in the room,” Banks said.
He adds they're not finished yet. The students say that they hope to further expand the facility and add amenities such as lighting.
Beler skates and Wall rides a BMX. They haven't missed a chance to enjoy what they had been working toward all this time.
“Every day after school until we go to bed, we're there skateboarding. It's our passion,” Beler said.
"Every day after school until we go to bed, we're there skateboarding. It's our passion." JOSH BELER, Grade 12, president of Ghost Ryders at Delburne Centralized School
