Thanks from CASE and the City

The City of Calgary Recreation & CASE would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the 2011 Skateboard Preference survey. We heard from over 900 skateboard enthusiasts and supporters. The data collected has been synthesized and will inform portions of the Skateboard Amenity Strategy being presented to Standing Policy Committee on Community & Protective Services in November. Please check back for updates on the progress of the report to Council and detailed findings of the survey.

Cochrane Skaters Clean Up Skatepark

[From the Cochrane Eagle Online]:

Skateboard group heading to town’s skatepark for fall cleanup

A group of local skateboarders, responding to criticism over the lack of cleanliness at the Cochrane skatepark, is rolling into the area this week to do some tidying up.

Calling themselves “The Inside”, the group is planning the cleanup for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 21.

“We want to show this (town) that we care about our parks,” said group member Brandon Curcio.

A recent letter to the editor of the Cochrane Eagle bemoaned the state of the park following the Labour Day weekend.

“We have set aside a time to clean up the skatepark in order to be in a clean environment and honour the (town) for the generosity of giving us such an amazing park,” said Levi Switzer, local skateboarder and one of “The Inside” leaders.

They will sweep, clean up garbage, and collect bottles.

Switzer says the public’s help Sept. 21 is welcome.

“The Inside” describes itself as a group of local teens who want to promote positivity and make a difference in the community. They have the desire to change the view of a stereotypical skateboarder into one that is responsible and cares about its community, says a letter from the group.

The group meets every Wednesday at the skateboard park to hang out and have fun. They supply drinks and snacks for anyone at the park.

According to the letter, the group has been involved in leadership building camping trips, raised $3,000 for cancer research, money to stop domestic violence as well as being heavily involved with other humanitarian skateboard groups called the “Medicine Hat Skateboard Association” and the “Edmonton Skateboard Association”.

For more information visit their Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/theinsidecochrane.

Thanks to Josh Poffenroth for the photos.

City of Calgary Planning 4 New Rec Facilities

The City of Calgary is planning four new recreation centres and are looking for feedback on what they should include. If you go through the questionnaire, you’ll see that “skateboard parks” are included in the plans for the NW and Seton facilities. It wouldn’t hurt to suggest that more skateparks are needed though!

Click the image below to read more and go to the feedback form.

There is an information session for the facilities on Thursday, September 15 from 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Silver Springs Community Centre (5720 Silver Ridge Drive N.W.)