The dream of a skatepark in Jasper is one set of stairs closer to reality.
On August 11 the Jasper Skatepark Committee received news that their project has been approved for the federal government’s Healthy Communities Initiative Grant, financial support to the tune of $91,363. The boost will help ensure the committee is pouring concrete in 2024, said Darrell Savage, the project’s lead organizer and Jasper Skatepark Committee spokesperson.
“This is the best news we could have possibly hoped for,” Savage said.
The skatepark’s final location is still to be voted on by council, but administration has indicated that the preferred option among stakeholders is at Centennial Park’s Diamond A; that spot fits the needs of the local skatepark committee as well as the park’s design/construction consultants, New Line Skateparks, MOJ’s Director of Operations John Greathead has said.
The Jasper Volunteer Fire Brigade has put its support behind the project. The Brigade has committed $50,000 in matching funds, said JVFB member Sean Fitzgerald.
“A skatepark is such a good community investment,” Fitzgerald said. “The cost to the user is low, there’s a low barrier for entry and it gets people moving.”
It also captures users from a wide spectrum. Skateparks’ best asset are their inclusivity, Fitzgerald, a local physiotherapist, has said.
Council will chip in $300,000 to the cost of the build. In January, Savage reported needing an additional $920,000 to reach their financial goals. As well as the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative Grant, community donations, bottle drives, local business contributions and youth fundraisers have since chipped in so that the committee is now only about $250,000 short. The skatepark’s estimated cost, before specialized landscaping is approximately $1.15 million.
Savage is excited to kickstart the momentum again.
“The snowball is starting roll downhill,” he said. “With a couple more successful grants and some hard work fund raising we will most assuredly have a new skatepark in Jasper by 2024!
“Let’s keep this momentum up Jasper!”
Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
