By Clark Stork

Tisdale Kinettes ramping up plans for skate park

Jan 31, 2018 | 4:00 PM

The company behind designing a skate park in the town of Tisdale now has an idea of what users are looking for.

Tuesday in Tisdale, Graham Cooke with the Canadian Ramp Company, spoke about the design in front of over 20 people interested in the project’s development. Cooke said the facility will accommodate both beginners and experienced skateboard, scooter, and bike riders.

“It could have a half-pipe, a couple runs for the beginners, a pyramid was mentioned many times. Rails, benches, and a seating area for both parents and kids needing to relax,” Cooke told northeastNOW.

As part of his duties with the company, Cooke travels across Canada consulting with local community members during the design process. He said the company has developed parks in 12 Saskatchewan centres with three more, including Tisdale, slated for construction this summer. Cooke said since “action sports” have become Olympic events their popularity has increased. He said local leaders grew up with the sports and never had a permanent place to practice. That forced kids to shopping malls and larger buildings or infrastructure leading to issues in communities. Cooke said the bad rap of skate parks are dissipating.

“The people in their 30’s or 40’s who grew up with the challenge of not being able to have a proper place to practice are now councillors, mayors, or recreation directors and see the need,” Cooke said.

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Cooke will continue to take feedback through the local organizing group and will have a report back in around a week with a few different concepts. The Tisdale Kinettes are leading the charge for the project. Member Mandy Russell said the idea originated in 2014 when a group of local parents sought their help in fundraising for the facility. Russell said the meeting also helped remove any stereotypes associated with a skatepark.

“We had some people come to the meeting and it helped remove some of the stigma that skate parks are where riff-raff hang out,” Russell said. “We confirmed to them this is more of a family facility now.”

The Kinettes have raised $130,000, but the group had a goal of $150,000 to $175,000. The group is still seeking feedback, and interested parties can contact the Kinettes or the Tisdale Middle and Secondary School with ideas.

The plan is to have the park in operation this coming summer.

clark.stork@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ClarkStork