Mayor Brent Feyter cut the ribbon Saturday officially open Fort Macleod’s new skate park.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, demonstrations and lessons Saturday marked the official opening of Fort Macleod’s new 4,100 sq. ft. skate park.
Hundreds of people — most of them children riding skateboards, scooters and bikes — turned out to celebrate the new facility.
Mayor Brent Feyter and Coun. Mackenzie Hengerer presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“I hope you like it,” Feyter told the large crowd gathered in the southeast corner of Centennial Park.
Feyter thanked the donors who supported the project including Davis Dodge ($20,000), Rotary Club ($10,000) and Lions Club ($2,500).
Feyter also thanked Town of Fort Macleod staff and director of operations Adrian Pedro.
“He made sure the quality top notch,” Feyter said.
Council earlier this year awarded the $200,000 contract to Drop In Skate Parks following public consultation on the design and location.
Shane Wall of Drop In Skate Parks said the Fort Macleod park was designed to be inclusive.
“You have to not just include a design for skateboards,” Wall said. “You have to include scooters, longboards, bikes, rollerblades — basically anything with wheels. It’s got to be an all-wheel park.”
Wall said “flow” is a key element of a good skate park.
“When you’re on a skateboard, you want to be able to flow from side to side,” Wall explained. “It has to have flow, where you can kind of go anywhere you want to at any point in time.”
The Fort Macleod park was designed to cater to athletes of all different skill levels.
“One of the great things about skateboards and scooters is how you can advance your skill level,” Wall said.
With regular practice people can develop their skills.
“The other cool thing is you have kids who are four years old up to some of the older guys who are probably 30, 35, and everybody’s having a great time,” Wall said.
The young skaters look up to the older ones, who are generally quick to provide advice and encouragement.
“It’s a very positive environment for everybody, for being such an individual-based skill,” Wall added.
The pour-in-place concrete skate park has a variety of elements, including a large bowl, ramps, benches, stainless steel rails and other elements used to perform a variety of moves.
Barent Goodrich was one of the teens who spearheaded Fort Macleod’s first skate park in 2004.
After that facility was torn down to make way for expansion of the outdoor swimming pool, the now 35-year-old Goodrich got involved in the new skate park.
“This is a definite upgrade and will provide future generations a continual place for recreation and sport,” Goodrich said. “It’s going to be, in my opinion, a focal point for our community.”
Goodrich said the new skate park will attract people from outside Fort Macleod, serving to boost local tourism.
Goodrich said Centennial Park is the perfect spot for the skate park, with the spray park, playground and washrooms nearby.
People at the grand opening were treated to barbecued hamburgers served by Chamber of Commerce president John Guliker and administrative assistant Sydney Tobler.
There were also demonstrations by experienced skaters, who later provided lessons and advice to younger skaters.
