Apr 14, 2016 | Activism, By-laws, CASE News, Skateboarding, Skateparks
Metro News published an article about “The Slab”, the DIY skate spot located in Forest Heights. The article interviews the creator of this skater-built and maintained skatepark and tells us that the City of Calgary parks staff is aware of it. Click the photo below to read the article:
Photo by Jennifer Friesen – Metro
CASE supports the DIY park and would like to see it incorporated into the city’s skatepark network. The southeast community of Forest Heights is not scheduled for a concrete park as part of the Skateboard Amenities Strategy. Unfortunately, nearby Applewood was originally slated for a skatepark but the project did not move forward due to lack of interest, according to the Site Selection Report.
Site Selection Report Map
If you are skating at the Slab, be mindful of residents and the creators of this unique spot. We want it to last as long as possible– it’s been there for three years already! Similarly to well-known DIY skateparks like Burnside and Leeside, keep it clean, pack out what you pack in, and just respect the space.
Apr 12, 2016 | Activism, By-laws, CASE News, Skateboarding
The City of Calgary Planning department recently released the results of their engagement for “sports ramps”. You may recall that Calgary has a bylaw which prohibits skateboard ramps on private property. That bylaw is currently being repealed after a notice of motion was filed by Councillor Evan Woolley.
The city conducted an online survey, open houses, as well as a telephone survey. The results of those surveys showed that the majority of Calgarians polled support having skateboard ramps on private property. Strong support (72%) came from the telephone survey, which is a random sample that’s designed to be representative of all Calgarians. You can review the results for all three surveys by clicking the timeline below:
City of Calgary Engage Timeline
Now we wait for the next step, which is on June 1st when bylaw and planning staff present their findings to the Standing Policy Committee on Community and Protective Services. That committee is made up of seven councillors and the mayor. The meeting is open to the public.
After that, the committee’s findings will go to council for the final review on June 13th.
In an interesting twist, the city has made a “policy shift” on ramps on public streets (as well as street hockey nets and basketball nets). According to their recent tweet, ramps are now allowed on streets, provided they don’t obstruct traffic and are removed after use.
City of Calgary tweet
Thank you for your patience and support on this. We’re optimistic that ramps will be allowed on public property later this year!
Apr 5, 2016 | Activism, Art, Headlines, Skateboarding, Skateparks
Calgary artists Eric & Mia are looking for participants for their skate school for women! The skate school runs for the month of June and all equipment will be provided. Click below for more information:
Jan 30, 2016 | Activism, CASE News, Indoor, Photos, Skateboarding, Skateparks
We were present at a meeting between 10 year old student, Jett, his mom, and Ward 8 Councillor Woolley. Jett is passionate about skateboarding and has done a lot of research on indoor skateparks.
With all the new outdoor skateparks being developed, we’re optimistic that the need for an indoor skatepark will be addressed. The Skateboard Amenities Strategy recommends an indoor skatepark for the city:
“Find a suitable location for one or more indoor skateparks or wheeled sport facilities to comprise an area of at least 1,850 m2 (20,000 ft2). An indoor facility may be located in an existing building or be a purpose built facility that is clustered with a recreation centre. Indoor facilities should serve both skateboarders, bmx, inline skaters and provide a fitness track for roller skaters. See page 50.” (Skateboard Amenities Strategy, 2011, p. 9)
Jan 5, 2016 | Activism, By-laws, CASE News, Skateboarding
The City has published the results of the engagement on “sports ramps” from the fall.
UPDATE: the image below is a screenshot of the online survey results, which are no longer available. You can still view the results of the open house by clicking below:
Dec 17, 2015 | Activism, CASE News, Indoor, Polls, Skateboarding, Skateparks
A couple of weeks we told you of Jason Huang’s crowdfunding efforts for an indoor skatepark. He’s put together a survey in order to learn more about what Calgary skaters might want in an indoor park. Please take a minute to complete it at this link.
