By Kristina Roic
Ottawa is one step closer to building a new indoor skateboard park after the city’s health, recreation and social services committee approved a youth cabinet proposal for the facility last month.
“We know that we don’t have sufficient facilities (for skateboarding) and these are the kinds of things we should be looking at,” says Alex Cullen, city councillor for Bay Ward and HRSS committee member.
This was a victory for youth who have lobbied the municipal government to put skate parks on its agenda since 2001.
“What has come out of this more than anything else is that it really is something that is necessary and it’s not just about skate parks, but it’s about youth having something to do,” says Nathan Hauch, Somerset Ward youth representative. “It sort of makes them feel accounted for in their own environment and that’s what they were looking for.”
Hauch says the cabinet also recommended a year-round facility for skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX bikers so users can have something to do in the winter time.
They also suggested youth be included in the ongoing consultation process and the actual development of the park to make sure it’s what they are looking for. Park locations and costs still have to be ironed out.
All these recommendations will be reflected in the 2004 Facility Needs Study, which will prioritize people’s concerns, needs and suggestions regarding skate parks.
Tom Strandberg, an 18-year-old University of Ottawa student, has skateboarded for six years. He says he and his friends skate downtown along Sparks Street and the Majors Hill area.
“There are only a few skate parks in Ottawa now and they really aren’t very good at all,” he says. “A new skate park will be really cool, especially if it is indoor and all year- round. I am glad to see the government is taking initiative on this project and giving youth a voice.”
The cabinet’s main concern is to move the issue from the 2007 city budget to next year’s budget.
“Many people were just horrified that it would take so long,” says Hauch. “By 2007 most people (students who have been lobbying the government) are already out of high school and there was a whole bunch of concerns about that. What we were looking for was to make sure that concern was more prominently displayed and really has some political weight behind it.”
Cullen says this depends on the outcome of the current city budget reviews.
“We’re facing a difficult budget situation and we’re faced with far more demands than we have the capacity to satisfy,” he says. “But if you don’t ask you don’t get so the youth cabinet is doing their part, and we have to see whether or not it can be accomplished in this budget, and if not this budget then when.”
Due to the city budget reviews, the Facility Needs Study has been delayed until next fall. This means it could be another year or more before the issue goes before city council and development takes place. But Hauch says the important part is done.
“The first step has been taken care of right now which is getting the issue on the agenda,” he says. “Then we have to look at where the city stands and the budget profit and from there we can actually have a look at what we’re dealing with.”