Report of the Recreation & Community Services Department

Dated Tuesday, July 31, 2001

Approved September 24, 2001

Skateboard Park for the City of St. Catharines

In October, 1989 a report was prepared for and presented to City Council reviewing the community’s need for a skateboard park. In this report, staff determined that a skateboard park was not identified as a priority in the last user needs survey and one had not been contemplated in our long range plans. The report was received and no further action took place.

However, in 2001 the need for a skatepark for skateboarders, BMX riders and in-line skaters exists as youth can be found skateboarding and biking in different pockets all over the City. Skateboarders can be found in front of City Hall, the Courthouse, the Library, the Gateway at St. Paul and Ontario Street, as well on City streets, sidewalks and empty school and plaza parking lots.

Skateparks both permanent and temporary can now be found throughout the Niagara Region. Temporary parks are located in Niagara on the Lake, Grimsby (until the permanent park is completed September 2001) and Pelham. Permanent parks can be found in Thorold and in the future Grimsby and Niagara Falls. These communities have recognized the need for a skateboard park for their community and the benefit of serving the youth’s recreational needs. Please see appendix for a list of parks which can be found throughout Ontario.

Skateboarding is not a fad as many people believed in 1989. Twelve years later, staff still hear the need for a skatepark. An informal survey which was distributed to schools in St. Catharines illustrated the need for a skatepark. A total of 1300 surveys were distributed to the youth and 931 were returned. Out of the surveys which were returned, 98.5% felt there was a need for a skatepark. A complete summary of the results can be found in the appendix. Survey results identified the preferred sites for a skatepark are Port Dalhousie as well as the downtown area.

On Wednesday, June 19, 2001 a public meeting was held to share the results of the skatepark survey and to gather public input on the feasibility of building a skatepark for the City of St. Catharines. Over a hundred people attended the meeting at the Russell Avenue Community Centre. The majority of the people attending the meeting wanted a permanent skatepark for the City of St. Catharines. The preferred site for the park was 69 Catherine Street. A permanent, concrete, high quality skatepark for the City of St. Catharines would range in cost from $190,000 to $250,000 depending on location, size and design. A concrete park allows skateboards, BMX bikes and in-line skates to use the park. A temporary park with wooden ramps cannot be used by all users, requires more daily maintenance and ramps have to be stored during the winter months.

A second meeting took place on Wednesday, July 25 at Russell Avenue Community Centre. Those who attended this meeting had indicated they would like to be involved in the planning and implementation of a skatepark for the City. At the meeting ideas for fund raising, sponsorship and public relations were discussed. Possible fund raising ideas included a kick-off event with local bands, 50/50 raffle, partnerships with local service clubs and skateboard/bike shops and research the possibility for grants. Public relations/promotions ideas include distributing flyers listing the benefits of a skatepark to schools and local businesses. Cable TV and local radio could also be used to increase awareness for the park.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

To cost for constructing a Skatepark be included in the 2002 budget

And that Fundraising and promotional events be held this fall to increase the awareness and the need for a skatepark for the City of St. Catharines

And that partnerships be actively perused to partner/sponsor in the design and construction of this skatepark.