After a long wait, Kovach Park Skatepark, located in the Southside neighbourhood at Kovach Park, is set to celebrate its soft opening, October 23, 2018 at 11:30am. It’s the culmination of several years of hard work for the Columbia Valley Skateboard Association (CVSA), who raised a significant amount through fundraising and grants. The CVSA overcame several obstacles, including the location of the park and the dated stigma surrounding skateboarding.
“The last council was the third one we had dealt with, and by then Revelstoke had caught up with what a skateboard park can bring to the community and the positive impacts it can have on youth,” CVSA treasurer Chris Payne says. Ultimately, the skatepark was embraced by the city, with dozens of residents, organisations and clubs taking on sponsorship roles.
“Everybody jumped on board and supported it right when we needed it most,” says Payne. “The skatepark builders, New Line, were amazed by the community support.”
Construction on the 16,000 square foot skatepark began in the spring and ran all summer, replacing a smaller, asphalt skatepark. The new skatepark is made from a patented concrete formula that is premixed and shot out at high velocity onto the surface being covered.
The skatepark features a beginner area and several larger features including a pool section and a flow bowl and many smaller ones, including an extended mini ramp and small scoop. Payne is most excited for the flow bowl. “It is going to really fun and great for all ability levels,” he says. “You’ll be able to carve around in it, almost like snowboarding.”
The CVSA does want to inform the public of some expectations of behaviour after the park opens, and they are as follows.
- Be mindful that the skatepark is next to a kids’ playground: please watch your language
- Be careful about other park users’ safety when entering or leaving the park on the pathways
- No Smoking. If you smoke, please find a place outside the park, away from kids and neighbours
- Park hours are : Dawn until Dusk
- No Alcohol
- No Graffiti. It will be covered immediately.
Though the CVSA is celebrating the soft opening, there is still landscaping work being completed by the city, so expect to see some fencing to keep from tracking soil that has yet to be hydroseeded.
“It’s just so great that it is done,” says Payne. “It’s been fantastic seeing and hearing how many people are excited for the skatepark. A lot of beginners are excited and a lot of old guys are excited to get back into it.”
Payne and CVSA want to thank the community for their support.
“The skatepark turned out better than expected. New Line did an unbelievable job. In thirty five or forty years people are still going to say it’s a great skatepark,” says Payne. “I couldn’t be happier.”
*Picture contributed by the CVSA
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