Correspondence: Westshore Skatepark Coalition - Status Request

Re: Action Required

The Honorable Mayor David Screech, View Royal Council,

In the year since the destruction of the Belmont skatepark, the Westshore Skatepark Coalition has grown strong. With a freshly minted non-profit status, we facilitated numerous initiatives to fundraise and grow awareness of our plight. Throughout this process, the resolve of the children and families that we represent has never faltered and our purpose has never meant more. The skateboarders, bikers, in-line skaters and scooters want a local place to safely roll.

We formally introduced ourselves to all 5 Municipalities between January and April of 2016 in either a Council meeting or a Committee meeting. During this presentation, we asked for four specific lines of action:

1. Work with Council/Staff to find a location for a skatepark
2. Have Council or Municipal Staff involvement in planning and development
3. Work together in securing funds for a new skatepark. Fund development will be determined by the size of the location of the park.
4. Build individual and public awareness around skateparks and its many user groups

Also, you promised to make a motion/recommendation to the West Shore Parks and Recreation Board with regards to your supportive stance on the growing need of skatepark facilitation. May we ask if this proactive step has taken place?

In other local Greater Victoria jurisdictions, skatepark redesign and growth is taking fast action. Internationally, skateboarding is garnering enormous inclusion and recognition, with skateboarding now chosen as a sport in the 2020 Olympics, the validity of our activity needn't be questioned any longer. Shall we stop passing around this "hot potato" of a topic, close the loop, and adequately support the growing youth populace?

Unlike the dust of our crumbled skatepark home, we are not going away. We are riders, parents, advocates and community members with a good conscience, ready to positively enhance the Westshore Community

Please advise us of your status. Kind regards,

The Westshore Skatepark Coalition