When Jimmy Miller looks at the grassy knoll at West Shore Parks and Recreation he sees opportunity.
The site, next to the golf course and pro shop and the beach volleyball courts across from The Q Centre, has been selected by the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society as a potential site for a skatepark. But Miller sees more than just the pouring of concrete.
B次元官网网址淚 see options. I see natural integration into the landscape B次元官网网址� I see ways to think creatively,B次元官网网址� said Miller, president of the Westshore Skatepark Coalition, an organization dedicated to the creation of new skateparks in the West Shore.
The West Shore Parks and Recreation Society has moved one step closer to bringing a new skatepark to the region. After sending out a request for proposals, the society has selected New Line Skateparks Inc., a design and construction firm that specializes in skateparks and skateable environments, to design the skatepark.
Wade Davies, manager of operations, said New Line was selected because itB次元官网网址檚 a local company, has expertise in the industry and came in as the lowest of four bids.
For the skateboard, BMX and scooter community, itB次元官网网址檚 a huge step forward. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 excited with any step forward or turning of the wheels, just moving forward is the main thing at this stage,B次元官网网址� Miller said. B次元官网网址淭o get to this phase, itB次元官网网址檚 rewarding, itB次元官网网址檚 a chapter marker. Everybody deserves a place to play and right now weB次元官网网址檙e talking about a demographic that doesnB次元官网网址檛 have a place to play.B次元官网网址�
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The West ShoreB次元官网网址檚 only skatepark was located behind the old Belmont school, but was torn down in 2015, leaving skateboarders to travel to other parts of the region such as Vic West and Sidney to continue their passion.
Now, the search is on to find out what elements skateboarders would like to see in their potential park, with public consultation beginning in the new year, followed by a 12-week timeline to have the designs completed, Davies said.
West Shore resident Craig Hanna, whose son skateboards anywhere from four to five times a week, would like to see rails, a snake run and a bowl.
Long-time skateboarder Neal Donegani hopes to see ledges, rails, stairs and banks. B次元官网网址淔or the user group that lost the West Shore skatepark, itB次元官网网址檚 going to be somewhere they can go and they donB次元官网网址檛 have to travel by bus to get to or by car,B次元官网网址� Donegani said. B次元官网网址淚t will just be a place where they can do what they like to do.B次元官网网址�
While selecting New Line for the design is a big step forward, the biggest hurdle will be raising the funds needed to build the park.
The coalition will be responsible for raising the funds, though Miller declined to say how much it would cost nor would he give an estimated timeline for completion.
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