Skateboard coalition raising funds for West Shore all-wheels park
The Westshore Skate Park Coalition is looking to raise $100,000 to build an all-wheels park for skateboarders, scooters and BMX riders at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre.
The budget to build the new park on donated land near the Q Centre in Colwood is pegged at a little more than $760,000. Skaters were left with nowhere to skate after the only facility on the West Shore was demolished near the former Belmont High School in Langford six years ago.
“It’s sad that we have to fight for a skate park when it was taken from us,” said Westshore Skate Park Coalition president Jimmy Miller. “This is a beautiful piece of land that we have and it’s a gift, so we have a spot, we have a design and we have donations in kind to make this happen, but we’re just not at that creation stage yet.”
Miller hopes that by launching the “100X1000” campaign, the coalition can find 100 donors or group donors to donate $1,000 each to build the new park.
“May be there’s a neighbourhood where there’s a bunch of skateboarders that all see the strength in our project and they want to go in on it together,” said Miller. “After six years we hope our project and the amount of good it will make can be seen.”
Miller says with no skating facility on the West Shore, people who want to use a skate park are forced to travel to the Vic West Skate Park, the Tulista Skate Park in Sidney or the facility in Sooke.
“It’s been tough for all of us, especially families because we’re all looking for places to go for our kids that are free of charge,” said Miller. “This is the exact same argument for playgrounds in your neighbourhood, if we want to grow our communities we need to invest in our communities. So let’s build something that means something and this skate park can be that something.”
Miller says having a skate park at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre would offer a family-friendly activity with amenities, such as a municipal golf course and a lacrosse box nearby.
“When we get this skate park built we will address a need,” said Miller. “It will be overflowing with kids that didn’t have some place to go.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson Airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
Russia reports downing 5 Ukrainian military balloons in Kyiv's latest apparent war innovation
Russian air defences downed what authorities described as five Ukrainian balloons overnight, the defence ministry in Moscow said Thursday, as the sides kept up long-range strikes that have featured heavily in what has largely become a war of attrition.