A 35″ ollie won the contest! GSD 2012
For the past several years, CASE has been working our collective butt off trying to get more skateparks built in our city. While we share everyone’s frustration that not 1 square foot of concrete has been poured yet, we are totally stoked at the prospects for new Calgary skateparks because we see huge progress down at City Hall. We know that the network of skateparks recommended in the Strategy has strong support from City Council and City Administration. The fear is that somewhere between the Strategy and pouring concrete, skateparks could get lost in the myriad of other needs Calgarians have. This is where you come in. The time has come for Calgarians who see the value of skateparks to really get things rolling.
If It Is To Be, It’s Up To Me
| If YOU want to see more skateparks in Calgary, you need to help make it happen. Right now, that means contacting your community association to say “we need a skatepark in our community” |
The enthusiasm and desire for new skateparks in Calgary has never been higher. A FaceBook Petition group had about 1500 supporters in only a few days. The enthusiasm is great, but enthusiasm needs to become action to make a difference. If YOU want to see more skateparks in Calgary, you need to help make it happen. Right now, that means contacting your community association to say “we need a skatepark in our community”. If enough skaters call your Community Association, they will approach the City about building a skatepark. The more Community Associations that approach the City, the better our chances are that Calgary will FINALLY see new skateparks opening soon across the city.
What Can I DO?
Skateboarding in Calgary needs adults and youth who recognize the need for skateparks in Calgary to:
- Identify the Community Association where you live (click here) and look up the contact information for the President
- Call the President and follow up with an email to express your enthusiasm for a skatepark in YOUR community. Be sure to:
- Be polite, be positive, and be respectful – earn respect for the skate community
- Not to demand, complain, or criticize – keep it positive to earn respect
- Not to knock other activities (hockey enthusiasts love their sport as much as you love skateboarding), keep the focus on the need for skateparks and the value for your community
- Give some good reasons for the skatepark, such as promoting active and healthy lifestyles, giving young people something to do in their free time, and providing skaters as safe place to skate
- Offer your help organizing, fundraising, or doing whatever else you can do
Mac Towne Skate Jam 2012
We are not entitled to more skateparks; we have to work for them like every other sports group has to do. In recent years the Calgary football community raised a lot of money to upgrade the fields they play on, skateboarders will have to do the same if they want more skateparks. The enthusiasm is great, but it is meaningless unless those who want more skateparks get involved and contribute whatever time, energy, expertise and money they can. Please contact your Community Association, and if you are really serious about seeing more skateparks in Calgary, you could even get involved with CASE. If Calgary is to finally have more skateparks, it is up to you. What can you do to contribute? What will you do to help? CASE hopes you’ll do all that you can.