Skatepark opening follows 10-year grind
Mayor’s youth council pressed for action
It was a moment that took more than a decade to arrive.
“This has been a project in the making for over 10 years,” said Welland mayor’s youth advisory council chair Vani Sharma, as she and other MYAC members, Mayor Frank Campion and MP Vance Badawey cut ribbon on the city’s new skatepark during its official grand opening Saturday.
Sharma explained the $650,000 park has long been a priority for MYAC and city youth after a 2007 MYAC youth forum identified the need to replace the aging, and poorly located, park behind the nearby King Street arenas.
With a Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program grant of $216,000, the project was able to move forward with construction beginning in September 2017, after months of a user-driven design process.
“It wasn’t an easy task,” said MYAC member Leo Paraskevopoulos, who was quick to thank past MYAC boards and members for their diligence in keeping the park on the city radar over the past decade.
“They never gave up on the project,” said Campion, pointing out the committee was met with its share of disappointments as the park was time and time again pushed off yearly budgets until federal funding came in last year.
Campion noted the new park is not only visible on Lincoln
Street, but also a centrepiece for investments along the recreational canal, that also include its scuba park and the Merritt Park amphitheatre.
“This is kind of a game-changer with what we are doing on the canal,” said Campion, acknowledging the skatepark adds to the city’s age-friendly focus, creating recreational opportunities for all ages.
Badawey was also quick to praise the new park.
“It’s going to blaze a trail,” said Badawey, adding, “this is no longer just a recreational waterway, this is Welland’s waterfront.”
While skaters and BMX riders have been using the substantially completed park on the west shore of the recreational canal fior months, the city officially celebrated the opening Saturday with prize giveaways, live music from The Associates, family attractions and a stunt performance courtesy of The Local Skate Shop.
City community development and volunteer co-ordinator Krista Bowie said the opening was a chance to introduce the park to community members who had yet to see it. Its attributes, she said, include being a safe public space for youths.