Rendering of the new Harewood Skate Park slated to be complete by the end of June, 2020. (City of Nanaimo)

By Ian Holmes

RIDING THE RAILS

‘World class’ skateboard park greatly anticipated by Harewood community

Mar 25, 2020 | 5:15 PM

NANAIMO — Longstanding efforts to establish the Harewood Skate Park are at last paying off.

Construction of the skate park in Harewood Centennial Park is expected to finish by June. It feature a street-style plaza with ramps, stairs and rails beside a large bowl.

An excited Nanaimo Skateboard Association president Jordan Pletz said it’s a major development because the only other formal skateboard facilities are in north Nanaimo and Cedar.

“This is going to be a lot more accessible and it’s also going to give kids the tools from start to finish in progressing with their skateboarding,” Pletz told NanaimoNewsNOW during a recent walk-through of the Howard Ave. construction site.

Pletz said extensive community input on the park’s design helped ensure it will serve a wide range of skill levels.

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“It’s not just for the Nanaimo community. It’s going to be a flagship for all of Vancouver Island and it’s going to be a destination for skateboarders everywhere,” Pletz said.

James Klinedinst of Grind Line Consulting said it will be a modern, world-class facility with “every feature you need for every skill level.”

While formal design plans were approved by city council in 2016, Harewood Neighbourhood Assn. vice president Peggy Lake said community efforts to get to this point started more than 20 years ago.

She said money and awareness was generated long ago in hopes of one day serving the large amount of young skateboarders in the area.

“They haven’t had anything to do. My son had to go to the north end to BMX,” Lake said. “There will be BMXing (here), skateboarding and scooters. It will cover all ages.”

Lake said offering a proper local skateboard park will offer peace of mind for many parents and caregivers.

Art will include a painted stream winding through the skate park to paying tribute to the Chase River which is directly behind it.

The project’s budget is $750,000 with $510,00 covered by the City and the rest of the costs coming from private contributions.

A focal gathering point of the community, Harewood Centennial Park has undergone numerous additions and upgrades over the last several years, including a new covered sports court, refurbished lacrosse box, new children’s playground and beginner mountain bike area.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes