Local skateboard wizards ruled the ramps and rails at a competition that doubled as a rallying effort for a stouter influence at Banff’s skatepark.
About 20 skaters battled boards at the Banff Recreation Grounds’ skatepark on Aug. 2 with the best tricks and run up for grabs.
The competition was short notice, said Christopher Stephen, an organizer and staff member of Unlimited Skate and Snow, but he was pleased with the response from the strong local skater base.
Two portions were judged at the skatepark’s mini ramp, a small wooden half pipe, and the street section, made up of ramps and rails on shaky pavement.
Stephen says the competition doubled to help get attention and the word to local skaters to get their opinions heard in public about Banff’s “archaic” skatepark.
The Town of Banff approved a Recreation Grounds Re-development Project in December 2013, which has a list of sports elements to be considered, including construction of a permanent skateboard facility.
“Being a skateboarder around town, we’re always told ‘Go somewhere and skate’ and this is what we have and we use it, but the facilities could be much, much better,” said Stephen, who praised Canmore’s newer skatepark for being safer and more well adapted for skating.
“I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t have anything just as good.”
ISL Engineering and Land Services Limited, an architecture and landscape company, was awarded the contract to undertake the work.
But before anything happens, the Town wants to look at a number of other issues concerning the grounds over the past five years, such as declining playground equipment and parking shortfalls, says Recreation Manager Mary Brewster.
Engaging the community’s response is also on the Town’s list, which will include an Aug. 26 stakeholders’ workshop with consultants.
“(The workshop) will just be the start of the design process and they’ll bring in two or three overall site plans that users in town can look at and to give feedback,” Brewster said.
Local skaters hope rallying for awareness will help in the decision process with the community and council.
The workshop will be at 101 Bear Street, above the library, and a time has not been determined.
The skatepark was relocated to the Recreation Grounds to accommodate construction during renovations at the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre, which were completed in Nov. 2010.
“The skateboard park at the Rec Grounds has been semi permanent and about half the size as it once was before,” Brewster said. “The skateboard park was dismantled and relocated as a temporary thing, but it has since been semi permanent.”
Brewster notes local skateboarders are looking for a permanent place to call home and the Town will work with that group on identifying potential partners or potentially receiving provincial grant money to help with contributions towards the park.
Although skateboard competition organizers weren’t outright fundraising, they were, however, raising donations for the Banff Food Bank.
“Anything is good, and anything we can do to try and help out people in our area is a plus,” Stephen said.
