Victoria to host grand opening for new Topaz bike, skateboard park
The City of Victoria is marking the grand opening of its newest bike and skateboard park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and demonstrations by some professional riders.
The new infrastructure at Topaz Park includes a 3,000-square-metre skate park featuring the largest skate bowl in Greater Victoria, plus a 6,000-square-metre bike park and pump track.
The city says the new features are fit for riders of all skill levels, including beginners.
"There is a lot of excitement and anticipation about this amazing new infrastructure," Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said in a statement Monday.
"Recreational activities are critical for the health of our community and skate, scooter and bike features like these will help residents of all ages stay active."
The new bike park section of Topaz Park is pictured. Aug. 8, 2022. (CTV News)
Everyone is invited to attend the opening day festivities, starting at 9 a.m. on Aug. 20.
The day's schedule includes a mayor's welcome at 11 a.m., followed by a bike park tour and professional demos at noon, then a stake park tour and pro demos at 1 p.m.
There will be games, prize giveaways, food trucks, community booths and a live DJ.
The new park areas include interactive sculptures by artist Germaine Koh. The landscaping includes new trees, as well as shared pathways, social spaces and a more sustainable approach to stormwater management, according to the city.
The skate and bike parks, along with the ongoing replacement and expansion of the turf sports field, are part of an initial $10-million investment from the city.
Design work for the next phase of improvements at Topaz Park is planned for 2023 and will include new pickleball courts, ball diamond upgrades and an improved leash-optional dog area.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.