With the cutting of a ribbon and the pulling back of a sheet, SidneyB次元官网网址檚 new skateboard park was officially opened on Sunday, July 2.
The park, designed and build by the lower mainlandB次元官网网址檚 NewLine Skateparks following an last year, has since the beginning of June as the Town of Sidney decided to let park users give it a try before the grand opening ceremony.
Timed to coincide with the TownB次元官网网址檚 Canada 150 events B次元官网网址� as well as SidneyB次元官网网址檚 own 50th anniversary since it was incorporated as a town B次元官网网址� the opening event featured some of the people involved with the creation of SidneyB次元官网网址檚 first skate park next to the Pat Bay Highway. Derek Newman, who was 17 when he was part of the effort to have a facility built in town, was at the opening of the new park Sunday.
B次元官网网址淎 few years ago (close to 20), we were a bunch of unorganized skateboard bandits on the streets of Sidney, terrorizing the local businesses and residents,B次元官网网址� he said, B次元官网网址渨e decided to get organized, so with the help of Jack Barker and some of the other local municipal staff, we decided to start fundraising.B次元官网网址�
Newman said there was a lot of local support at that time and a park was built.
B次元官网网址淚t was fantastic. What it did was provide us, a community of our friends, to get off the streets and get busy and stay organized.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just nice to see this facility has been re-invented in this pristine location. You couldnB次元官网网址檛 ask for a better view.B次元官网网址�
Newman, who said he doesnB次元官网网址檛 skate much these days B次元官网网址� heB次元官网网址檚 busy being a dad B次元官网网址� said the investment made in a new facility shows the communityB次元官网网址檚 recognition of skateboarding culture, as the sport has become more mainstream.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice to see the efforts we put in 20 years ago are still being cared for today.B次元官网网址�
The old skate park was recently demolished to make way for SidneyB次元官网网址檚 new community safety building.
Mayor Steve Price called the opening B次元官网网址渁 super exciting day for our community.B次元官网网址� He said the facility is world class B次元官网网址� and with an ocean view.
B次元官网网址淥ne of councilB次元官网网址檚 priorities during this term has to provide a more balanced demographic,B次元官网网址� Price said. B次元官网网址淧rojects like this park, that provide opportunities for youth, is one way we can make that happen in the Town of Sidney.B次元官网网址�
Price added Sidney will have many people from around the region coming to the park. The facility is continuing to grow as well, he said. Most recently, a skateboard repair station was installed courtesy of the Capital Regional District. Price said the Kiwanis Club has donated $25,000 for the development of a seating plaza B次元官网网址� which will be built in the future. Those were only a few of the many generous donations Price mentioned during the opening event.
During the event, sculptor Paul Harder joined the dignitaries to unveil his work, B次元官网网址淏oard Dog,B次元官网网址� in a new location B次元官网网址� and with a new name. Board Dog had been part of the Sidney Sculpture Walk along the waterfront, but a succeeded in purchasing it B次元官网网址� at a discount, thanks to Harder B次元官网网址� and installing it at the skate park.
The sculpture has been renamed B次元官网网址淥llieB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� both for the name of a skateboard trick and for a bulldog Harder said was the inspiration for his art.
Following the big reveal, and a ribbon cutting, the Town provided pizza for the gathered youth.
Earlier this year, the Town generated a lot of comments on social media after it announced they wanted the park to . According to Town staff, the park has been clean since it opened and peopleB次元官网网址檚 overall response to that has been positive. Recently, the Town installed a camera near the skate park. It will be a web cam, according to staff, allowing people to see whatB次元官网网址檚 happening in the park B次元官网网址� and have the added bonus of acting as a security camera.
