QUALICUM BEACH — The community has received a fresh boost with the opening of a long-awaited skateboard park.
The new facility replaces a 25-year-old park that was torn down earlier this year. The grand opening, held on Saturday, June 14, drew around 250 people.
Located off Jones Street, between the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre and the sports fields, the park was alive with activity. Sixteen-year-old skateboarder Owen Hancock was among those excited to see the new venue.
“We haven’t had anything for the youth here for the longest time. To have this here now is such a great step forward,” Hancock told NanaimoNewsNOW. He was part of a local fundraising effort that raised over $130,000 in grants and donations to help complete the $1.3 million project.
“To raise money, I even stood in front of Canadian Tire dressed as a clown,” said Hancock, a student at Kwalikum Secondary School. “It’s basically my backyard. I live in town, so I can come any time I want. I’m very, very happy it’s here.”
Josh Reed, a Qualicum Beach resident, helped lead the community advocacy to make the new skateboard park a reality. Watching his 10-year-old daughter enjoy the park, Reed called the facility “perfect.”
He explained that the old park was mostly suitable for advanced skateboarders, while the new one caters to all skill levels. “It’s really good for mental health and stress relief for the youth,” Reed said. “We live in an older neighborhood with few activities for young people. That was a big reason for this project.”
The design and construction of the skateboard park involved close collaboration between New Line Skateparks and the local skateboarding community.
Rob Eng, senior design project manager for New Line Skateparks, said the team held workshops and made multiple revisions to get the features right. The result is a large flow-bowl at the center, similar to those found at high-level international competitions.
“We’ve created a park that ticks a lot of boxes for what the community wanted,” Eng said during the opening ceremony.
The central bowl is surrounded by street-style elements. “There are technical rails and ledges that mimic urban skating spots, plus flowing banks, ramps, and down ledges,” Eng explained. “People love riding those.”
The park is designed for all-wheel users, including skateboarders, scooter riders, bikers, and rollerbladers. It offers a great training ground for everyone, from beginners to advanced riders.
“There’s always something bigger and better to challenge yourself with,” Eng added. He noted that the low cost of all-wheel sports is making them increasingly popular.
Mayor Teunis Westbroek, watching young skateboarders enjoy the new space, said the park connects well with other indoor and outdoor recreation options in Qualicum Beach.
He praised the project as a valuable investment. “The old park helped build a community of skaters, many of whom were involved in designing this one. Their kids are now skating here. We have talented youth who could compete nationally and internationally,” Westbroek said.
The mayor called the new skateboard park a key addition to improve the quality of life in Qualicum Beach.
“I am thrilled. The council unanimously supported this, even with other competing priorities. We want families, youth, and kids to feel welcomed in this town.”
The total budget for the project was $1.3 million.