It appears the popularity of the skateboard park at the Marina keeps growing, years after a bit of a rough start.
John Kelly is Chairman of the local Skateboard Coalition, and tells us as he considers the cleanliness of the park and comaraderie of those using it, he recalls the opposition people had 12 years ago.
“I had a guy who was very against the skateboard park 12 years ago when we were trying to build it. And guess who gave me a call to buy a skateboard for his 12-year-old daughter last week? His daughter got a new skateboard, she got an instant skateboard lesson for free, right on the spot,” recalls Kelly.
The Skateboard Coalition Chair adds in spite of the image of skateboarding, which has been negative over the years, many feel safe, have fun, and get great exercise.
This means there could be one for the former Dease pool site, which he says could cost $200,000 to $400,000, professionally built. “There’s nothing for pre-teens, teens, or young adults to do in that area, so it’s going to get used, and it’s going to get used very well. Marina skateboard park is the highest used public recreational facility in the whole city, and the city has the stats to prove that.”
Kelly adds entities of Dease pool would stay keeping its history alive. Thunder Bay’s General Manager of Community Services, Kelly Robertson, says there are plans to discuss options with the Skateboard Coalition.
It’s also noted how the comaraderie, with few problems, covers all ages.
Acadia Broadcasting’s Kelly Gill took her eight year old nephew there recently, and was very impressed with how the older youth look out for the younger ones, especially as her nephew Bentley watched one boy. “As he’s watching him, the older boy turns around and says ‘Did you want to try?’ And Bentley was very hesitant at first, but after the older boy showed Bentley what to do, Bentley was very encouraged.”
She adds it was awesome to see the older kids pay attention to the younger ones, and the younger ones look up to the older youth.
