In just a few days Innisfailians will finally see shovels in the ground to build the long anticipated skatepark.
The day literally comes at a heavy cost. A million bucks.
The province turned down a large stream grant application of almost a half million dollars to offset that cost, and we don't know yet if the town will be able to recoup up to $125,000 from a smaller stream grant request. If the latter fails, taxpayers could be on the hook for more than $900,000, with only $60,000 or so offset by service group fundraising.
But here is the most important thing. Kids of this community will finally have a gem of a recreational facility they can be proud of. It's not just your typical community swimming pool, or gymnasium or arena. A skatepark is, as all those young dudes like to say, a super cool thing. Those dudes with attitudes will be happy campers for sure.
Most importantly, however, the timing could not have been better.
Innisfail parents are still mulling over the current controversy about dangerous activities going on with the young at White Rock Crossing. The town is scrambling to find a solution with an emphasis on improving railway track safety for all Innisfailians. The sooner the better, says the scribbler.
In the meantime town officials hope the skatepark will be ready for the first riders by late fall. The plan is to make the intersection at 42nd Street and 51st Avenue a community gathering place. Beside the skatepark the plan is to have a nice green space for folks to rest and relax. It will be a place where the young and old can mingle, share some stories, and smile and laugh.
Best of all once bored local kids can no longer reasonably complain there is nothing to do in Innisfail. They will have a special place they can call their own, and it is safe, free from any lingering danger.
It can be a place where the community's children will never again have to think about jumping in front of a moving train for thrills.
Johnnie Bachusky is the editor of the Innisfail Province.
