The West Shore has been without a skatepark since 2015, but newly announced plans mean that is soon about to change.
The former Belmont High School used to be home to the West Shore’s only skatepark, but it was demolished in October 2015 to make was for the Belmont Market development.
Since then, the West Shore Skatepark Coalition has been advocating for a new skatepark, and now the group is seeing the goal become a reality.
A 13,000 square foot facility will be built at West Shore Parks & Recreation, with the park being designed by the Vancouver-based team of New Line Skateparks, in partnership with van der Zalm + associates.
“For 6.5 years a committed group of community members forming the Westshore Skate Park Coalition and WSPR Staff have advocated and fundraised for a park in the Westshore,” Jimmy Miller, West Shore Skatepark Coalition president, said in a news release.
“On behalf of the youth and young at heart, the Westshore Skatepark Coalition is stoked to announce that we are finally at this stage. While our journey is not yet complete, the ending is oh so near, and we can’t wait to roll on some rad new terrain.”
The new skatepark is scheduled to be completed in March 2023.
“We are now able to move forward with our plans to create a 13,000 square foot multiuse space for our youth in collaboration with the users and our collective communities,” said Kyara Kahakauwila, West Shore Parks & Rec board chair.
“Mental and physical health are intertwined, even more so for young minds; with this new infrastructure being brought to our communities we will once again have a safe gathering place for youth to socialize, be physically active and gain confidence as they develop their skills.”
New Line Skate Parks designed a conceptual design in 2017 which calls for the park to be built next to the tennis courts at the West Shore Parks & Recreation Centre.
The design includes a pool with a five-foot-deep shallow end and 10-foot deep end, two-foot blended rollers, and blended double pump rollers.
Laura Brougham
