Fuchsia Dragon | [email protected]
Decked out in dapper suits, Still Spirits had the Olive Bistro stomping on Friday night to raise money for Jasper’s new skatepark.
The fundraiser, dubbed Skateraid, was organised by the Jasper Skatepark Committee to bring in cash to go towards their $700,000 goal.
Up for grabs on the night was a skate deck signed by BC pro skater Sascha Daley, and the committee put up boards showing their grand plans for the new skatepark.
Darryl Huculak, owner of the Olive Bistro, said: “I think the skate park a great thing for kids and to have something like that is amazing. I support it full on.”
And Darrell Savage, chairman of the committee, said: “Thank you everyone for coming out to show your support and also a huge thanks to the Still Spirits and the Olive Bistro for hosting this event - and huge thanks to Amber and Sebastian Van Der Wagt for organizing this event.”
Plans for the new skatepark are now in their third phase.
The committee has been working with New Line Skateparks, a Canadian company, on their project.
New Line has made skate parks in thousands of cities all over the world.
"They are so reputable they are not a big risk for a town,” Savage said.
The company has created a detailed concept design and the committee just needs to raise the cash in order to start building.
“We got the concept design from New Line Skateparks. Now we need to raise money and get it going on,” said Savage.
“The town council released the land to us. It is not if we build a skate park, it’s when.”
The new skate park will replace the current one in town, between the high school and the activity centre.
Workshops were held between the committee, New Line Skateparks and the community to create a design that would work for everybody.
Savage said: “After school, kids can just go there. It’s not just for skateboards and scooters, it’s a community park.
“New Line do a lot of landscaping and the whole thought of it is for it to be enjoyed by everybody.
“There will be benches, teenagers and parents can go, anyone. It’s for everybody.
“With all the landscaping it’s going to be beautiful, comforting and inviting.”
So now all they need is the money to get things going.
“It’s so sad we can’t just build it tomorrow, everyone wants it,” said Savage.
The committee needs to raise $700,000 and has about $8,000 in the bank. They have been applying for government grants and said they have talked to the municipal council in hopes of some financial support.
One grant, the Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Program, could pay for a big chunk of project. Savage said Banff’s new $1.5-million skatepark was paid for with the same scheme,
Another local fundraiser is also in the works for later this year. Local artists are painting skate decks which will be for sale at a silent auction.
