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RDN and Community Celebrate New Skatepark on Gabriola Island

Ribbon-Cutting-RS2.jpg
RDN and Community Celebrate New Skatepark on Gabriola Island

Posted in: News Item

Date Posted: 2022-05-30

Organization Name: Regional District of Nanaimo

Location: Nanaimo

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) celebrated the new Gabriola Skatepark in Huxley Community Park on May 28. Joining in the celebration were Gabriola residents, RDN Directors, RDN Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee members, local community groups and dignitaries including Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, Province of British Columbia. Following the guest speakers, youth from the community took part in the official ribbon-cutting and skateboarders of all ages enjoyed a community skate session with music. The RDN thanks the Gabriola skateboarding community for helping organize the festivities.

Since late March, residents and skateboarders from across Vancouver Island and the mainland, have been enjoying the new skatepark while other park features are being completed. The RDN funded the $773,700 project through $137,346 from the Electoral Area B Community Parks budget along with a $567,354 contribution from the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada through the Community, Culture, and Recreation Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, and a community fundraising contribution of $69,000 from Keep on Pushin’ Gabriola.

Gabriola Skatepark has several features including:

  • A transition/flow zone including clamshells, pump bumps and vert walls
  • A street run section including a quarter pipe, stair rail, manual pad and ledge, flat bar and an oververt transition
  • New parking lot
  • Pathway connections to the playground and sport courts areas of Huxley Community Park

Park features that will be finished later this year include landscaping, installation of two shade structures with park benches and perimeter fencing.

For more information on the Gabriola Skatepark project, visit getinvolved.rdn.ca/gabriola-skatepark and for information on RDN parks, visit rdn.bc.ca/parks-services.

Quotes

“Modern recreational infrastructure is essential to keeping our communities vibrant. Our government is proud to celebrate the completion of the Gabriola Skatepark, which offers Island residents and visitors new and exciting opportunities to get active and enjoy the outdoors as warmer weather approaches.”

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, Government of Canada

“Home to many of the best skaters in the country, British Columbia has long been the unofficial skateboarding capital of Canada. This new skateboard park provides a challenge to users in a safe environment that’s a gathering place for people in the community. It’s our privilege to work with the federal government, Regional District of Nanaimo and community fundraisers to enhance recreational options on Gabriola Island.”

Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North, Province of British Columbia

“The RDN supports a variety of recreational opportunities across the region through our extensive parks and trails system. We are pleased that our newest park, Gabriola Skatepark, has already become a popular destination for all ages and abilities. We thank our federal, provincial and community partners for helping fund this amazing skatepark that will be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike for years to come.”

Tyler Brown, RDN Chair

“The Gabriola Skatepark is a wonderful addition to our community. Having a skatepark on Gabriola Island enables our local children and youth to hone their skills and have fun close to home. We are grateful to the Gabriola community for their enthusiasm and support for this project and we are delighted to celebrate the skatepark together.”

Vanessa Craig, RDN Director, Electoral Area B

“The youth of Gabriola started pushing for a skate park in the early 1990s. They dreamed, they fundraised, they advocated strongly…they pushed. We witnessed those efforts, those frustrations, and we joined the cause and we kept on pushing. I dare say it was worth the wait. We now have a world class facility that is the hub of our community.”

David Reid, Keep on Pushin’ Gabriola