A new era of all-wheel sports has begun in Qualicum Beach with the recent opening of a new skateboard park to replacing an aging facility at the same location. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

significant addition

New Qualicum Beach skateboard park opens with rave reviews

Jun 16, 2025 | 5:32 PM

QUALICUM BEACH — New life has been injected into the community following the recent opening of a highly anticipated skateboard park.

Replacing an aging 25-year-old facility deconstructed earlier this year, the newly opened venue in its place was the focal point of well attended Saturday, June 14 grand opening event.

Located off Jones St. between the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre and sports fields, 16-year-old Owen Hancock, armed with his skateboard, was among roughly 250 people on hand.

“We haven’t had anything for the youth here for the longest time. To have this here now is such a great step forward,” an excited Hancock told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Dozens of users taking advantage of the newly opened, smooth-surface skateboard park in Qualicum Beach on Saturday. June 14 (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Bolstered by a local grassroots fundraising drive and grant funding which pitched in over $130,000, Hancock helped get the $1.3 million project over the finish line.

“To raise money I stood in front of Canadian Tire dressed up like a clown. It’s pretty much my backyard; I live in town so I can come anytime I want. I’m very, very happy it’s here,” the Kwalikum Secondary School student said.

Qualicum Beach resident Josh Reed assisted his wife in leading community-led advocacy efforts to make the dream of a new skateboard park in town a reality.

While watching his 10-year-old daughter enjoy the new park, Reed called the new amenity “perfect,” stating the old run-down offering was essentially only useful for advanced boarders.

“It’s really good for mental health and stress for the young youth,” Reed said. “We live in such an older neighbourhood, there’s not a lot of activities for the youth. That was a very big driving force for the project.”

Owen Hancock calls the opening of a new skateboard park in his hometown an important development to better serve the community’s young people. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Designing and building Qualicum Beach’s new skateboard park followed a collaborative process with New Like Skateparks, combined with the local skateboarding community.

Rob Eng, the firm’s senior design project manager, said workshops and multiple revisions nailed features to be included dropped.

He said the result was a centre piece element of a large flow-bowl, like what’s available at high-level international events.

“I think overall its ticking a lot of boxes of what people are looking for in the community,” Eng said the opening ceremony.

The central bowl is surrounded by various street elements, Eng said.

“We’ve got the two different styles of street-skating, we’ve got more technical rails and ledges that replicate things you’ll find in the city, then the more flowing style: banks, ramps and down ledges…People love riding those things.”

Specifically designed for all-wheel users, including scooters, bikes and rollerbladers, Eng said the new facility provides a great training ground for all skill levels ranging from beginners to advanced riders.

“There’s something bigger and better to keep stepping up to,” Eng stated, who noted low-cost entry to all-wheel sports makes these activities increasingly popular.

The centre bowl function is surrounded by variations of street-style skateboard park elements. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Stepping out of the path of a wide-smiling young skateboarder on the edge of the newly minted park, Mayor Teunis Westbroek said the amenity nicely ties together several valuable indoor and outdoor recreation options in Qualicum Beach.

He said the skateboard park project was well worth the investment.

“The old park helped forge a community of skaters and those skaters were involved in designing this one because their kids are now skating. We have kids who are so talented, they’ll probably go to national and international events,” Westbroek said.

Qualicum Beach’s new skateboard park is a crucial addition to help improve the quality of life for many people, Westbroek proclaimed.

“I am thrilled. Council was unanimous to have this built, even though there were competing interests from other things. We felt it was important to make sure that families and youth, kids feel welcomed in this town.”

The project’s budget is $1.3 million.

Zayden Hasell of Qualicum Beach was one of several young riders testing out the community’s new skateboard park during an official opening ceremony on Saturday, June 14 (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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