Greater Victoria skaters were already taking their maiden shreds at the new Thrifty Foods Skatepark as West Shore Parks and Recreation hosted a grand opening for the long-awaited facility in Colwood Saturday.
The event brought together skateboard enthusiasts from across the region to celebrate the opening of the world-class facility. The skatepark is a state-of-the-art concrete park that features a variety of obstacles including a bowl, ledges, rails and banks. It’s also designed to accommodate skateboarders of all skill levels, from beginners to experts.
“The $1,279,900 skatepark, designed and built by Vancouver-based New Line Skateparks, is a world-class skateable/rideable landscape destination that features a hybrid conceptual design,” Geoff Welham, West Shore Parks and Recreation recreation manager, said in a statement.
“The park is aimed at being welcoming, inclusive, flexible, exciting and memorable for all ages and abilities,” he said.
In 2015, the skatepark at the old Belmont school site in Langford was removed – a hard blow to the Greater Victoria skating community, according to Westshore Skatepark Coalition member Jimmy Miller, who spoke at the event.
Mayors and councillors from the West Shore’s five municipalities were also in attendance for the skatepark’s official ribbon cutting.
“This skatepark will provide opportunities for our youth to get active in an outside setting while contributing to a healthy lifestyle and supporting real-life, face-to-face social interactions and build and grow friendships,” said View Royal Coun. Damian Kowalewich.
“Skateparks offer spaces to hone physical mental resilience. In contrast to the division of the world, skateparks are a place of diversity, inclusion, and they act as a safety net for vulnerable youth,” Miller added. “Skateparks are a valid part of our community.”