JEREMY NOLAIS
METRO CALGARY
Published: November 18, 2011 5:39 a.m.
Kickflips and ollies are few and far between once the snow hits Calgary as recent closures have left just one indoor facility open to skateboarders.
Volunteers have opened up the gym at Dalhousie Community Church on Tuesday nights during the winter months for the past 12 years; however, attendees said more than 100 boarders can come through, creating a tight squeeze.
Jason Dueck, who helps organize the Tuesday meetup, said to his knowledge, no designated indoor skatepark has lasted in the city more than two years.
“We provide consistency,” he said. “This at least gives them one place…. It’s a safe environment for kids to come and learn in a community setting.”
Groups like the Calgary Association of Skateboard Enthusiasts have long lobbied for a permanent indoor facility in the city through online petitions and other initiatives, but it appears little progress has been made.
Partnerships with community associations have been put forth as a possible alternative but no new parks have been opened to date, forcing skaters like Auburn Bay resident Brent Gwilt to make the long trek to Dalhousie in search of ramps and rails.
The 19-year-old questioned why his sport is seemingly forgotten in the winter unlike other activities, such as tennis and soccer.
Paul Kent is a Calgary skateboarder that currently holds the world record for skateboarding the longest distance in 24hrs (403 Kilometres). Read an interview with him by clicking below:
Lacombe is a about a one and a half hour drive from Calgary but from the photos below, it looks like the new park there is worth the drive. The #2 highway is getting to be a bit of a “skate highway” between Calgary and Edmonton with parks in Airdrie, Olds, Red Deer, Lacombe, and Leduc.
A recent article by Skaters for Public Skateparks put a spotlight on murals in skateparks and how they can clear up unsightly amateur graffiti. Here are some images from the article:
The cities of Edmonton and Winnipeg have taken similar initiatives at their parks, incorporating local artists:
Calgary skater Derrick Timoshenko is getting some coverage in the latest issue of SBC Skateboard Magazine with a “street backflip” off a concrete barrier. Here’s the footage:
OpenFile.ca poses the question: Do you think that having a place where skateboarders could practice their sport would help keep some teens out of trouble? Click the photo to weigh in on the discussion:
