Skateboard Working group to take lead on facility design for Coaldale
Melanie Messier presented to Coaldale town council on March 28 with the draft terms of reference for the skatepark working group. The working group was formed in October 2021 and as of March 28 and they have convened twice to discuss terms of reference and then to review and consider different site locations for a new or revitalized skatepark.
The working group has now identified, through the terms of reference, the scope and goals for the term of the year. Messier explained the first item for evaluation is potential site locations and the advantages and disadvantages of each location. The group has also started considering desired features and upgrades to the new or revitalized facility to ensure the recreation site will serve the greatest number of users. As with the mountain bike park, which had members work directly to conceive of the design before presenting to council, Messier said, the skateboard working group will have the opportunity to take the lead on the design front.
Messier said the working group will provide preliminary design options as well as valuable insight into the formation of future skateboard programming. “Given these are the experts, we would want to put the design process in their hands, and then go to the community and have opportunities for them to provide feedback, but really lean on the working group as the drivers for the conceptual plan,” she explained.
Messier said the group will also focus on identifying potential partnerships within the community.
Some of the points of considerations for the working group were how to best serve the greatest number of users both in terms of experience levels and age groups while also leaning into how to create an innovative space for fun and play. Messier said the group has not put forward a budget yet, but will exploring different funding options and potential partnerships through the working group. After identifying funding options, the working group can move forward with presenting more concrete plans to council.