Fuchsia Dragon | [email protected]
It has been more than six years in the pipeline, but Jasper Skatepark Committee is not giving up its goal to build a new state-of-the-art skatepark in town.
Darrell Savage, chairman of the committee, said skating and BMXing are great sports to do while social distancing and right now, with the Activity Centre closed, there is no better time to boost the project.
“We are trying to make a case that we need something for kids to do while this [the pandemic] is going on,” he said.
“We don’t know how long this is going to go on for and it’s just so important to have something for kids to do.”
But because of the pandemic, Savage said “all the grants are gone”, so some serious fundraising is needed to bring the project to fruition.
“We just want people to realize we are still here,” he said.
“We aren’t giving up - not because of COVID. We have been doing this for six years - it’s time.”
The skatepark committee has been joined by Christopher Isbister, owner of Jasper Bike Rescue, who organized a Skate Jam on Saturday to raise awareness for the project.
| F.Dragon photo
Up for grabs on the day were two BMX bikes donated by Jasper Bike Rescue that had been rebuilt and donated for a draw, plus swag like hats and stickers, and cold drinks provided by local businesses.
Isbister also donated $1,000 to the project - a percentage of sales from Jasper Bike Rescue.
“I have been a skater since 1984 and know the importance of a skatepark in the community,” said Isbister.
“I have been involved in projects like this in the past and I have seen communities actually change for the better because kids have a safe place to go.”
Isbister and Savage said skateparks create their own community, with children and adults of all skill levels working together and looking out for each other.
“It’s a good place to go and not get into trouble,” said Savage.
Plans for the new Jasper skatepark are now in their third phase: Fundraising.
Jasper Skatepark Committee has been working with New Line Skateparks, a Canadian company that has made skateparks in thousands of cities all over the world, on their project.
And the company has created a detailed concept design that fits in the footprint of the current park, and the committee just needs to raise the cash in order to start building.
The committee has about $18,000 in the bank - having already raised and paid more than $55,000 for the first two phases of the project.
The cost of construction will be $800,000 - but if the committee can raise half of that, the Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Program, could pay for the other half. Savage said Banff’s new $1.5-million skatepark was paid for with the same scheme.
An online silent auction fundraiser for the project will go ahead soon with lots including a longboard, a bluetooth speaker skateboard, a GoPro helmet camera, a Skull Skates hoodie, and a Sascha Daley Element skateboard deck.
Keep updated on the Jasper Skatepark Committee’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1522518324671471/.
