The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
By Jonathon Naylor The question of whether Flin Flon truly needs a skateboard park is one that cannot be definitively answered at the moment. No one knows for sure how many of our young people engage in this sport, nor can anyone say how many of those youth would utilize a park should the opportunity arise. City council, elected to resolve such questions, has concluded that, yes, not only is a skate park needed, but that taxpayers should help build it. And so a tentative deal has been reached between the city and the school division to make the facility a reality. The concept of a skate park has been floating around City Hall for at least a decade. Petitions have been presented and letters written, but it seems there were always more important recreational initiatives to tend to. But George Fontaine, first as a councillor and now as mayor, always seemed to have a special place in his heart for this project. The moment he got behind the concept, it was unlikely he would rest until skateboarders had a place to call their own. Throughout it all, however, the matter of location has always been problematic. Unjust reputation Let's face it, not everyone is keen on the idea of having potentially large groups of pre-teens and teens congregating in their neighbourhoods. Making matters worse, skateboarding carries an unjust reputation as a hobby for bad apples. So while many residents tend to agree that a skate park is indeed needed, just as many have contracted a serious case of NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) relative to the idea. Fortunately, council has pinned down what is quite likely the perfect location in Queen's Park. This piece of property is vast and wide open, so a skate park will not dominate it. It is in a busy enough area, adjacent to Highway 10A, that any monkey business should be minimized through high visibility. Moreover, Queen's Park is not in close proximity to very many homes, so serious residential opposition is unlikely. And it is right next to our two high schools, Hapnot Collegiate and Many Faces Education Centre, where many skateboarders attend class. Council has tentatively agreed to sell Queen's Park to the school division for $102,600 and pump that cash into the skate park. This is ideal considering council's limited funds. If another segment of government is willing to foot at least part of the bill, council would be foolish not to go for it. Kudos to council for trying something new and waiting for a proper location to open up. Still, only time will tell whether Flin Flon truly needs a skate park. Local Angle runs Fridays.7/18/2011
