It's Official: Ribbon cutting opens doors for Nelson's new All-Wheel Park
By Nelson Daily Staff
When Drew Summersides was a young boy, teams sports were not his forte.
The Nelson native liked to go fast.
He liked to do what he wanted, when he wanted and skateboarding provided that outlet.
Saturday, 22-year-old Summersides joined a handful of his closest skateboarding pals to help with the official opening of the All-Wheel Park located in Rosemont.
“This is sweet. It’s awesome . . . this is a really good (skate) park,” Summersides said minutes before grabbing his board and warming up for his grand performance in front of the more than 300 people attending Saturday’s Official Opening.
Summersides skateboards in videos and photo shoots and was recently featured in the current edition of Concrete Skate Mag.
The local star was brought in Tribute Board Shop to give some flare to the official opening ceremonies.
“I was here last year and skated it . . . I snuck in a couple runs,” added Summersides,
“But I’m looking forward to just having some fun and skating with a few friends.”
Saturday’s opening ended a 12-year odyssey for the local skateboarding advocates and Kootenay Lake Outdoor Skatepark Society (KLOSP).
The 15,000 square foot “All Wheel Park” is suitable for BMXers, mountain bikers and in-line skaters along with skateboarders.
Langley’s New Line Skateparks was the major contractor during construction of the $600,000 facility located in the Art Gibbons Park in Rosemont.
Some of the major monetary contributors included the Province of BC kicking in a $400,000 Community Recreation Grant as well as the Columbia Basin Trust donation of $61,000.
Local businesses with in-kind donations include Nelson and District Credit Union, Selkirk College, the Martin Hotel Group, Shambhala Music Festival, DDC Excavating, Home Hardware, Maglios, Nelson Ready Mix, and the Lions Club.
Nelson’s Daybreak Rotary Club gave a final push by spearheading the final fundraising push that made it possible to add colour to the concrete at the skatepark.
“It’s wonderful to see this project’s completion,” Acting Mayor Paula Kiss told the crowd that included many dignitaries, sponsors and skatepark enthusiasts. “Residents and visitors alike will greatly benefit from the completion of this skatepark.”
Following the cutting of the ribbon to officially open the park, Summersides & Company — Conlan Killeen, Mikey Ray, Spencer Corbett, Stacey Gabriel, Cory Wilson, Derek Swaim and Chad Dickson — captured center stage to entertain the crowd with many high-octane tricks, jumps and rail rides.
