Nelson skatepark proposal makes the final round
By Nelson Daily Editor
By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily
Funding could be in place for Nelson’s outdoor skatepark before the site for it is ever finally determined.
The Kootenay Lake Outdoor Skatepark Society has reached the final round of voting in the Aviva Community Fund, nationwide contest — despite the project being stalled at the approval stage by City council.
Around 15,000 votes were hauled in from people around the region as they made their preferences known on bringing an outdoor skatepark to the city.
That was enough to put the Nelson proposal in the final round of voting — which is completed by Jan. 25 through a panel of judges — along with Rossland’s Community Learning Centre idea.
Where is the skateboard park project?
The project is still stalled and likely won’t be dealt with until later in January as the Nelson and District Recreation Commission awaits a report on the outdoor skatepark.
Over one year ago City council took the report from its appointed skateboard park committee and made a recommendation to “further explore the feasibility and associated costs of locating the outdoor skatepark adjacent to the entranceway of the” Nelson and District Community Centre, behind the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce building.
But because the skatepark is currently slated for development on the grounds of the Nelson and District Community Complex, the report on the park is the responsibility of the Regional District of Central Kootenay recreation staff.
That meant the skatepark report would fall under the purview of RDCK manager of community services, Joe Chirico.
The skateboard park committee, the NDCC, as well the Recreation Commission were directed to reconfigure a layout of the NDCC’s parking lot to allow for a 10,000-square-foot “destination” venue.
Currently, the grassy site in question at the NDCC would allow for only a 7,500-sq.-ft. park but a 10,000-sq.-ft. one would be desirable.
A bigger park would herald the loss of some parking. The report is also expected to outline the pros and cons of having the regional district run the facility.
If the Recreation Commission decides the skatepark should be an RDCK service, the board of directors will have to draft and pass bylaw to support it.
Who is KLOPSPS and what are they trying to do?
KLOSPS is run by the Nelson youth for the Nelson youth.
The society has identified an unfulfilled need, that is the need for a facility that allows local youth to legally practice and participate in the individual sports they have passionately dedicated so much of their time and lives to.
