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 Detheridge wins award |
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Detheridge wins national Leaders in Rural Canada award
Detheridge to speak at AHSA's 2008 AGM
Photos of Meg:
Cape Breton Post, park under construction
July 07, AHSA's trip to Coxheath with Mayor Chisholm and others
Story and photo: Leadership recipient Meghan Detheridge
--Government of Canada website (also copied below)
LEADERSHIP
Recipient – Meghan Detheridge
Sydney, Nova Scotia
“Meghan is known for her tireless work ethic and leadership skills. It takes a special person to step up and volunteer endless hours when there is a need and Meghan is one of those special individuals.” – David D. Wilson, Associate Chief of Police
Meghan Detheridge of Sydney, Nova Scotia has made many valuable contributions to her community, including currently serving with the Petersfield Canada Day Committee, Greenlink Park Society Board, JCI Cape Breton as well as the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce. Over the past few years she has also been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Civil Air Search and Rescue, Transition House and Junior Achievement. Needless to say, Meghan has been busy, however, in 2005–06, her most notable contribution to the community was a world-class skateboard park.
Ms. Detheridge took the initiative to spearhead a local youth/adult skateboarding society and led the group to raise over $200,000 to construct a 12,000 sq. ft. concrete skateboarding facility for local youth to socialize, develop skills and confidence, and be physically active in a SAFE environment. Meghan ensured youth were involved with the project from day one, whether it was fundraisers, presentations or the actual design of the skateboard park. Meghan and her small group increased awareness through public ad campaigns, lobbied the provincial government and regional municipality for conceptual and financial support, canvassed local businesses for financial assistance by educating them on the benefits of redirecting youth from their store fronts, and worked with skateboard designers to create the skateboard park.
“Her approach and maturity, when dealing with the media, was superb. I personally listened to a number of interviews on CBC where she was promoting the project. It was because of her determination and commitment that the facility was constructed.” – David D. Wilson, Associate Chief of Police
The organization and creation of a skateboard park has changed societal attitudes towards skateboarding in these rural communities, an example of why Meghan’s spirit, enthusiasm and dedication were the right fit for this project.
In addition to providing youth with a safe and state-of-the-art location to skateboard, the creation of the park forged community partnerships and encouraged collaboration between all levels of government and local businesses. The skateboard park is currently being used beyond expectations as older adults and parents come to watch the youth. The park is a true example of community collaboration.
Meghan Detheridge has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to her community. She has worked tirelessly, not for a quick fix, but for a sustainable solution. For many, Meghan’s fundraising goal would have seemed impossible, for Meghan it required only dedication, spirit and perseverance.
The challenges associated with this type of project are immense but not insurmountable. In a region faced with so many challenges for many local youth, Meghan Detheridge has provided not only a place to practice a sport, but a beacon of hope and a sign of potential right at home. Anyone who can instill a sense of hope in local youth is truly a community leader and role model.
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Fourth Young Leaders in Rural Canada Awards
Ceremony – Ramada Plaza, Gatineau
October 23rd, 2007
The fourth Young Leaders in Rural Canada Awards pay tribute to young rural Canadians (18 to 29 years old) who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and contributions to rural, remote and northern Canada, at the local, regional and/or national level. A commemorative Award is presented to individuals in each of the following three categories: Leadership, Partnership and Innovation. For 2007, two young leaders have earned awards in the two following categories:
LEADERSHIP Demonstrating leadership through concrete outcomes and strong commitment and contribution, leading groups to take up projects with significant impact on the community, demonstrating effective use of personal qualities and community assets in achieving goals.
PARTNERSHIP Creating partnerships among community groups, building cooperative relationships between people and strengthening the notion that teamwork is valued, facilitating the relationships by fostering cooperation between groups, promoting new ways of working together.
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Recipient — Leadership
Meghan Detheridge
The Leadership Award is given to Meghan Detheridge in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the creation of a world-class skateboard park [Island Skatepark, Coxheath] Meghan’s visionary leadership and her commitment to getting the funding required to build the skateboard park has greatly helped to improve the social life of the community’s youth and to develop their skills and self-confidence, as well as to provide a safe environment in which they can be physically active.
Hailing from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Meghan has demonstrated unparalleled commitment to her community. Her innovative initiative to establish a park and create partnerships has fostered cooperation between various levels of government and local businesses. The impact of the park on the community is obvious and is exceeding all expectations. In addition to this project, Meghan is involved in a number of other community development initiatives.
In an area with numerous challenges for local youth, Meghan Detheridge has provided not only a place to practice a sport, but also a source of hope to make the community more attractive.
...
Download (2-page Word doc)
Source: Government of Canada
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Sep 1, 2010
Upcoming events
Sept. board mtg TBA
Photos-New/Old/Older
Year in Review 07-08
Newsletter--Apr2007(pdf)
Clippings Jun03-Apr08
AHSA on facebook
Shopping
Nova Scotia sk8parks
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?
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Sk8parks & playgrounds
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