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 Presentation to Councils -2004 |
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AHSA Presentation to Councils, Dec. 7, 2004
The outcome of the presentation was the formation of a Joint Skatepark Working Committee, consisiting of three each Town Councillors and County Councillors, whose first job is to find a site for the future skatepark.
[Photo]
When invited to demonstrate the balance required to put both feet on a skateboard, Town of Antigonish Councillor Jack MacPherson and Antigonish County Councillor Hugh Stewart wisely declined. The unusual request came from organizational trainer Frank Gallant*, who facilitated a presentation by the Antigonish Highland Skateboarding Association (AHSA) to Town and County Councils December 7th in the County Chambers of the Municipal Building on Beech Hill Road. While Gallant's opening request was meant to reinforce the skill it takes to even stand on a skateboard, the main purpose of the presentation was to request help from both municipalities in getting a concrete skatepark in the Antigonish area in 2005.
Four skateboarders related their own personal experience in support of the need for a skatepark; John Garbary told the group he has spent more than $1000 on skateboarding equipment and that every chance he gets, he visits other towns and Halifax which have skateparks; Jordan Swinkels said skateboarders should be provided for in the same way tennis players and hockey players are; Lydia English told the group that she'd like a safe place to practice her sport and there's nowhere to skate in the county; also, she stated that she'd like to learn to snowboard and explained that the two sports require similar skills.
Second year St. FX Honours Philosophy student Harrison Stevens, from Nanaimo BC, related how his hometown of Nanaimo has three concrete skateparks and that he helped get a concrete skatepark in a town similar in size to Antigonish: Parksville, B.C. (pop. 10,000). [Note that Parksville Chamber of Commerce website features its skatepark under Attractions. The Village of Lumby, BC's website features its skatepark too.]
"When I was first accepted at X, one of the first things I did was look up the Town of Antigonish website to see if Antigonish had a skatepark. When I found out there wasn't one, I didn't bring my skateboard. This was a disappointment for me as well as for other X students who enjoy skateboarding and are unable to practice the sport they love when they move to Antigonish."
Stevens then spoke about the economic benefits the skateparks brought Parksville: a West 49 opened in the town and when the town hosted skateboarding tournaments every motel and bed and breakfast was filled.
By means of a PowerPoint presentation, Gallant showed the group a set of concrete steps similar to where skateboarding now takes place in Antigonish and stressed the need for a safe professionally designed facility. "If a safe facility isn't provided, skateboarders will continue to skate in inappropriate and often dangerous areas," explained Gallant.
AHSA President John Besaw answered a question about whether or not the skatepark would include related sports. He explained how the work to date to get a facility has been done by only skateboarders and their parents but it would likely be used by non-skateboarders too.
Specifically, the group asked for three things:
1. --that the Town and County work together to secure an appropriate site;
2. --that the Town and/or County (eventual owner of the facility) agree to provide insurance and maintain the park;
3. --for a financial contribution of $50K from each Town and County.
Gallant stressed the importance of moving quickly on the proposal in order for the eventual owners of the facility to apply for a major grant from NS Sport and Recreation before the first of February. Otherwise the project will have to be delayed yet another year.
Also on hand was local community supporter Jim MacIntyre who has assumed the role of corporate community fundraiser for the project. MacIntyre began by sharing a story from his childhood of how he used to play street hockey on Saint Mary's Street and was chased by police. He then described his own successful track record with community fundraising, and said he'd do the same thing for AHSA.
The projected cost of the skatepark project is $300K of which AHSA has proposed raising one third.
Antigonish Regional Development Authority Development Officer Donnie Cameron stated that ARDA supports the project and he expects the facility to attract tourists and people to move to Antigonish.
A decision is expected later this month. AHSA is hoping to build the skatepark in the spring of 2005 and is currently fundraising.
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*AHSA extends special thanks to Frank Gallant, President of Peak Experiences for developing and facilitating the presentation and to Olga Gladkikh who edited information sheets and worked with the skateboarders who gave testimonials.
[Gallant is also involved in Earth Education in Nova Scotia and Fresh Air outdoor adventure club.]
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Sep 1, 2010
Upcoming events
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Year in Review 07-08
Newsletter--Apr2007(pdf)
Clippings Jun03-Apr08
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AntigonishEventsCalendar
Halifax movie Roller Town looking for roller skaters / Roller Town facebook page
2010 Skate & Create / 2009 winner, etnies The Legend Of Boxton Square
HOLY ROLLER (2nd vid has music)
Where we are, July 2010
Rolling with the punches, The Casket, Jul 26, 2010
Town trying to find site?, Jul 21, 2010
Request for space for halfpipe turned down, June 21
A safe, fun summer, Chronicle Herald, July 19
A new skate park for sick old tricks -Globe and Mail
The Chronicles of Zander, June 12; Trailer & poster
Northside Youth Centre & Indoor Sk8park Grand Opening, Fredericton, NB; sponsor: East Side Board Supply
Playgound installation May 15, photos
Spryfield park open; vid
Everyone wins, vid about youth engagement produced by NS Dept of Community Services
Local: Big Air in Bedford
To Fix Bridge, Skateboard Mecca May Be Lost for Years, Brooklyn Bridge, NY
2010 AGM / President's report / new board
Pics, Jeff at Moncton sk8park
BMX enthusiasts out of winter hibernation
Dedication unrewarded, Letter to the editor of The Casket, Apr 14, 2010
Local talent - sk8 vids featuring Brennen Breen: couldn't breen / brennen breen this is antigonish / Halifax commons skateboardin / scooter vid featuring Ryan Rossong: Beaver Gone Wild
Danny Way Stepping Aside as His Creation Soars
Connecting to a Culture Using 4 Wheels / Related: 4Wheelwarpony
Bob Biniak of Z-Boys, Dies at 51
Skatepark planned for Amherst, NS / Many benefits to be had in skate park
Snowboarding gold medalist Shaun White on the value of skateboarding
For Tony Hawk, the Skateboard Is a Canvas
A stunt cyclist's Tour de Fence / Danny MacAskill on Youtube
Bridgewater sets aside land for skateboard park, Bridgewater Bulletin, Oct 20,09
AHSA volunteers at HUNGRY4CHANGE banquet, Aug 11 photos
2009 HG parade photos
1st Annual Arichat Skateboarding Competition - photos
New sk8parks 2008/10
Spryfield
Bridgewater (planned)
Chester
Saint John
Truro
Glace Bay
Fall River / slide show
Amherst (planned)
AnnapolisRoyal (planned)
Why a skatepark?
Site selection criteria
Sk8parks & playgrounds
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