The grand reopening of the Kyle Scow Memorial (KSM) Skatepark in Port Hardy will take place on Sunday, July 27, from 3 to 5 p.m., the District of Port Hardy has confirmed.
Heather Nelson-Smith, Chief Administrative Officer for the District, announced the date via email. Although the skatepark has been open for months following completion of the rebuild by Radius Skateparks, officials needed extra time to plan an official reopening ceremony.
Port Hardy Mayor Pat Corbett-Labatt said the event will feature exciting activities, including an official ribbon cutting.
“We’ve got special blank skateboards that visitors can decorate,” he said. These custom boards will be displayed around the skatepark after the event. “We also have a new sign to honor Kyle Scow, which will be mounted at the park.”
The skatepark was originally named after Kyle Scow, a local teen skater who passed away in the late 1990s. The new memorial sign has impressed local officials. “When Heather first showed it to me, I thought, ‘That looks amazing,’” Corbett-Labatt said.
In addition, Kwakiutl First Nation Chief Calvin Hunt is donating Indigenous artwork to be incorporated into the skatepark design.
“We want this reopening to be special for everyone,” said Corbett-Labatt. “Bring your skateboards, scooters, and bikes. All wheels are welcome.”
The rebuild of the KSM Skatepark had a budget of $550,000. Funding came from a non-restricted recreational grant from the British Columbia government.
The original skatepark was built in 2003 through community support. The Port Hardy Rotary Club donated $20,000 for the cement pad, and the Vancouver Foundation granted $20,000 for plastic ramps. Additional funds came from local business donations and fundraisers organized by the now-defunct Port Hardy Skateboard Club.