Annual General Meeting Summary – New Skateparks in Calgary

May 2, 2013 | Activism, By-laws, CASE News, History, Indoor, Photos, Skateboarding, Skateparks

Thanks to everyone who came out to our AGM on May 1st. We reviewed our year and talked about what we plan on doing in the coming year.

High Ollie contest at Go Skate Day 2012

The 2012 fiscal year was a good one for CASE and Calgary skateboarding. Here are some of the things we accomplished:
-consulted with City officials on Skateboard Amenities Strategy
-raised funds through benefit rock show at The Palomino
-increased web traffic and Facebook reach
-met with several communities who have an interest in skateparks
-worked with the City to find a work around for the ramp by-law
-conducted interviews with several media outlets including TV, print, and radio
-held Go Skateboarding Day events/contests
-cleaned up Millennium Park in our annual Spring Clean Up
-sponsored/helped out with contests at Millennium, Westside, and McKenzie Towne parks
-helped out with Boarding 4 ‘Betes event at Millennium park.
-skate art auction to raise funds

As a result of the hard work of city administration, officials, and CASE, an RFP (request for proposals) was issued by the city. The RFP asked for firms to submit proposals to implement the Skateboard Amenities Strategy.

“Scope of requirements for this project includes communication, site selection, concept planning, construction drawings, and construction tendering.”

The RFP closed on April 30th, 2013 and promises a pretty aggressive timeline:

-Selection of highest rated proponent: two (2) to three (3) weeks after close of RFP

-Kick off meeting: 2013 June

-Finalize Project Scope with project Team: 2013 June

-Site Selection for all sites: 2013 end of July

-Participatory Design Process: 2013 end of November

-Construction Drawings: 2014 January

*The City reserves the right to modify any of the dates noted above.

Ringing the bell – Go Skate Day 2012

“The Skateboarding Amenities Strategy envisions the development of a network of fifty (50) outdoor skate parks across the city over the next ten (10) years. The total City of Calgary planning, design, development and construction budget for the first two (2) years of the Strategy is two million dollars ($2,000,000) in 2013 and two million dollars ($2,000,000) in 2014.”

 
Keep in mind that “fifty skateparks” is their vision. It may be more, it may be less. A more accurate figure to look at is the skatepark terrain square footage the Skateboard Amenities Strategy says Calgary is currently lacking by — 243,860 (P.70). The bottom line is we’ll have new skateparks by next year. Multiple parks. In different locations with varied terrain.

The City of Calgary has planned skateparks at these sites:

-Seton Regional Recreation Centre 18150 56 St SE (Neighbourhood Skatepark)

-North West Regional Recreation Centre 11300 Rocky Ridge Road NW (Community Skatepark)

The communities shown in the table below have expressed interest in having a skatepark in their area:

Another action item that has come up for CASE is the possibility of an indoor park. The City has put out an Expression of Interest for “DEVELOPING, PROMOTING AND OPERATING, AN ARTS, CULTURE AND/OR HERITAGE FACILITY”.
There is a city-owned building that will be usable by non-profit groups who are in line with the statement above. We’re hoping we’ll be able to convince the decision makers responsible that skateboarding is an arts/culture activity that would be suitable for use of this building.

Other stipulations include:
-Building would be leased from City at a nominal fee
-Operator will be responsible for all maintenance, taxes, and utilities
-Proposal due on June 4th
-Building has a large warehouse-type room with high ceilings, minimal support pillars
-Measures nearly 8,000 sqft
-Heated, well-lit, with washroom facilities
-Very close to Millennium Park
-LRT accessible

As you can see by the photo, a lot of people are looking to get in on this space. CASE is committed to submitting a full-detailed proposal for why this location would make an excellent indoor skatepark, which is badly needed in Calgary.