Let's roll on a skatepark

,St. Catharines Standard, Feb. 25, 2002

It's about time St. Catharines did something to accommodate the hundreds of teenagers who skateboard, in-line skate and ride BMX bikes. They're tired of being kicked out of public places and empty parking lots, and the city finally appears ready to act.

Last Thursday evening, about 30 people showed up for a meeting of the St. Catharines Skatepark Committee at Russell Avenue Community Centre. They discussed where they should direct their energies next, now that city council has approved a skatepark in principal.

Council has included $230,000 in the draft capital budget for such a park. The next step is for enthusiasts to get involved in fundraising and public awareness events to promote their cause.

So far, two sites are being considered -- the lower-level parking lot below St. Paul Street and the area below the Garden City Skyway off Bunting Road. Wherever the city chooses to set up the facility, it should bear in mind the site should be centrally located and on a bus route. To promote safety at night, it should also be well lit.

A major concern for councillors is the liability issue that arises from so many skateboarders not wearing helmets. A skatepark builder assured them serious injuries are extremely rare, but council should investigate for itself what the injury rate has been in other communities.

The fact so many other communities have such parks gives weight to the teens' argument that St. Catharines should have one. It's possible injuries will occur, we agree, but they occur every high school football season. That hasn't stopped enjoyment of gridiron action.

Above all, having a park dedicated to skateboarding, in-line skating and BMX biking will get these teens off the streets and public sidewalks. That alone should improve the safety aspect -- both for them and for the rest of us drivers and pedestrians who have had to share our space.