The innovative skateboard park project envisioned for Centennial Park is poised to move forward with a more detailed site assessment with support from primary project stakeholders, ATCO Electric and the Town of Drumheller.
The project, initiated by the Drumheller Association of Skateboarding Enthusiasts (DASE) in 2010, began with a small group of community minded entrepreneurs interested in exploring options for development of facilities to complement and enhance existing community amenities.
Through the process of community engagement, the vision for the project has expanded to become part of larger community Centennial Legacy planning, with broad community representation. The Community Task Force established to lead the project is excited with the new direction and is pleased to see plans moving forward.
Task Force Chairperson, Brooke Christianson, sees the project as enhancing one of Drumheller’s most precious and iconic public spaces.
“Centennial Park is a gathering place for residents and visitors alike, providing festival and play space, with historic significance that dates back to the Town’s inception,” he said.
Already a community and tourist hub, the park will become a primary destination enhanced by the world class skateboard park. By incorporating existing, compatible amenities such as the spray park, pool, dinosaur, trails, and play areas, new development will enhance the Town’s public face. This integration of recreation, tourism and cultural activities will have significant local impact.
The more detailed site assessment is needed at this stage to determine the level of development possible within the limits of available land and will create a base for development of a Master Site Plan. Modern skateparks, designed with strong community input and connection to adjacent amenities, herald a new era of facility design that creates appealing landscapes and celebrated public spaces that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Integrating the new skateboard facility within the existing park with its central, easy to access location and capacity to host multiple activities and events at one time is ideal and maximizes opportunity for local and regional impact.
The Community Task Force is pleased to provide this update on progress and looks forward to an ongoing public consultation and information sharing. There will be new opportunities for public input to the project in Fall 2012. Public participation will play an important role in determining the scope and direction of the project that will ultimately move forward to the construction phase.
Current timelines anticipate construction of new facilities to begin in Spring 2013 with completion in July 2013, well in time for gala Centennial celebrations as the Town reaches the significant 100 year milestone.
“We will know that we have been successful,” states Christianson, “when we reach the point where stakeholders agree on a concept that positions Centennial Park to be Drumheller’s premier outdoor recreation space and enhances the park as an attraction for local and regional residents as well as visitors to the area.”
