Whitehorse Daily Star

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Photo by Vince Fedoroff

GRAHAM RETURNS TO OLD HAUNTS – The atmosphere was somewhat testy Tuesday evening as Mayor Dan Curtis (second from right) had some blunt words for Education Minister Doug Graham (far left), a former city councillor, about the consultation process appropriate for choosing a new skateboard park location. Chris Howard, Shawn Pierce, John Finley, Joseph Tisiga and Dave Stockdale, left-right.

Mayor had heated message for minister

A new skateboard park needs to be highly visible, easily accessible and a place users can be proud of, city council heard Tuesday evening.

By Whitehorse Star on May 20, 2015

A new skateboard park needs to be highly visible, easily accessible and a place users can be proud of, city council heard Tuesday evening.

Seven delegates, including Education Minister Doug Graham, addressed council.

They discussed the plans for the proposed new skateboard park, calling for a downtown location that’s easy to get to for the many youth who use it.

Council members argued more public consultation is needed, and raised questions about the possibility of a new French first-language high school on the site of the current Second Heaven Skateboard Park.

Graham, NDP MLA Jan Stick (who was also recognized as the mother of Elijah Stick, the former unofficial “mayor” of the Second Heaven park) and NDP Leader Liz Hanson were seated together in the gallery of council chambers for the discussion.

Graham began the first of the seven presentations about the park by reviewing the government’s plans to build a new park.

Once the francophone school board selected the current park site as the preferred location for its high school, he said, the territory made a commitment to do everything possible to construct the high school there.

Various issues need to be addressed before a school can be built on the site, Graham acknowledged in his update, pointing to traffic concerns, easements on the property and so on.

The first concern to deal with is the building of a new skateboard park. Construction of a new school will not begin until there is a new skateboard park in place, which raises the question of location.

Graham initially outlined work done with a number of groups involving users as well as his own time in the park speaking with skateboarders, BMX riders and others.

Mayor Dan Curtis, however, took issue with the public consultation, arguing the government should be reaching out to all citizens and city officials about the park’s location.

“Work with us to help them,” the mayor urged.

The city had requested a meeting (which would be open to the public) with the minister two weeks ago on the topic, Curtis added, but has not received any response.

Graham said while he believes in consultation, at some point, those elected to office must make decisions.

The exchange between council and the minister continued.

Coun. Dave Stockdale noted his frustration at the lack of consultation the territory has had with the city on the matter.

Curtis repeated the request for a meeting has gone unanswered. He also pointed to a number of questions about the school’s location and the possibilities for a new skateboard park.

Graham responded that he and staff were given just two options for meeting dates with the city, both of which were already fully booked for him and department staff.

“I would be happy to meet with you, Mr. Mayor,” Graham said.

After the minister and mayor ended their heated exchange, a half-dozen park supporters addressed council. They reflected on the impact skateboarding has had on their lives and the importance of finding the right spot for the new park.

Chris Howard stressed the importance of decision-makers being sensitive to users’ needs. Many skateboarders, BMX riders and others who frequent the park don’t necessarily have transportation, making the downtown a good location for a new park, Howard said.

If there is to be a public consultation period, he suggested, it’s vital to involve groups who may workwith or serve the frequent users of the park. As Howard noted, many users may not be actively involved in local political issues or may not feel comfortable speaking out.

He also argued some residents may have a negative perception of skateboarders and won’t favour a new park being built.

Answering questions from council members, Howard was the first to suggest that visibility is an important feature.

Skateboard parks can attract the wrong crowd at times, bringing in those who are more interested in partying than testing their skateboard skills.

As well, if a park is tucked away, Howard said, even more people looking to use the space for the wrong purposes will be drawn to it.

Shawn Pierce of the Skate For Life Alliance told council even with the park’s current, highly-visible location he and other skateboarders find themselves bringing a broom so they can clean up the glass and debris around the area before they skateboard.

Displaying a number of photos of skateboard parks in B.C., Pierce highlighted a number of quality skateboard parks that have been incorporated into larger community areas.

Suggestions of Rotary Peace Park or Shipyards Park for the new skateboard facility dominated the presentations. There were arguments either could be a prime location, having visibility, a central, accessible location and being near the Millennium Trail.

Speakers also made the case for the sport being an affordable option for youth who can’t afford the fees and equipment of other sports like hockey or skiing.

John Finley, who works at Board Stiff, told council an entry-level board costs about $80. From there, boards can go up as high as $200 for a more custom-built package.

Once you have a board, it’s just a matter of working on the skills.

And that has the power to make a big difference for many, council was told.

“Through this sport of skateboarding, they lift themselves up,” Howard said, later recalling his own experience years ago.

For whatever reason after he had healed from an injury of six months’ duration, he didn’t get back on his skateboard and quickly fell “into the wrong crowd,” getting into trouble.

Eventually, he realized he had to get out and start skateboarding again. That’s when things started to get back on track for him, Howard said.

Joseph Tisiga, the emergency shelter supervisor for the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre, commented: “Skateboarding 100 per cent changed my life in a significant way.”

And for Pierce: “Skateboarding has taken me all over the world.”

He went on to speak of visiting a number of skateboard facilities in New Zealand, Italy and other countries. He later commented that he was sad to say that Whitehorse’s is about the worst park he’s skated in.

Council members expressed concern over consultation and plans for the French first-language high school.

Curtis, meanwhile, emphasized the city’s support for a facility with each delegate. He noted he personally would like to see the facility remain on the current site but be upgraded and expanded.

Comments (21)

Up 0 Down 0

Let merit prevail on May 26, 2015 at 6:51 pm

I'm in agreement with 'Your Worship' here. Why does a bronze stature culture get gold medal choice over a facility that has been established and grand-fathered in at that location for a considerable number of years now. The Franco-High School people should have been there a lot sooner but I still don't agree with their weight count on this matter. I also don't agree with Catholic schools getting public funding to implement their guilt on society.
When will we have the Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslims demanding prime real estate areas and public funding to practice? Near as I can tell Franco has only got a bronze around here and should act accordingly.

Up 18 Down 9

Mark Carroll on May 25, 2015 at 7:19 pm

Time to get off the champagne budget. There is nothing wrong with the ideas presented but Whitehorse cannot afford these projects. Special interests need to pony up some of the costs of the projects they propose, and I don't mean other forms of public money. How long before the city raises taxes to pay for these projects, a city cannot live beyond its means. Time to order a round of beer and put down the champagne flute.

Up 29 Down 31

Jim Lahey on May 23, 2015 at 7:41 pm

Mr Wilf Carter. The letters you write to the paper complaining about stupid things could be put into the same category as what you said about me. I saw your name twice in the paper on Friday. Complaining about nothing. So how do you like that glass house?

Up 16 Down 3

Yukon 56 on May 23, 2015 at 6:40 pm

Sally, what planet are you from, must have a Federal job

Up 14 Down 0

Yukon 56 on May 23, 2015 at 6:36 pm

Cheaper to send the French to a boarding school

Up 27 Down 1

YkFreedomJunkie on May 22, 2015 at 10:19 pm

What on earth is wrong with the skate park where it is? Oh wait, right lets spend an extra 10 million tax dollars to move it somewhere else. Ahh it all makes sense again!

Up 10 Down 5

Moose on May 22, 2015 at 4:44 pm

Jwhite - So Mayor and Council need to put aside their personal political positions? Yes it's too bad they aren't more like our non-political, altruistic territorial government..........(facepalm)

Up 18 Down 0

Yukoner you are correct on May 22, 2015 at 10:39 am

Yukoner you are correct and it makes good common sense which there is a lack of everywhere now.

Up 10 Down 51

Sally Wright on May 21, 2015 at 11:29 pm

Second heaven is what it is.
Created out of blood, sweat, love and passion.
Just make it beautiful, integrate it into the new Franco-highschool, build an annex between the the Franco highschool and FH Collins.
Create a living learning center and integrate it with the elders living in Riverdale and use the $8 million for the new Whistlebend soccer field to improve all the city's school's fields then we just might see an infrastructure that helps kids thrive.
I agree with you Dan, the territorial government needs to listen to it's constituents in a more structured way. Not just to the unregistered lobbyists.
We need a territorial and federal government who can give us some rationale for their decisions. As taxpayers, we need to know that decisions that are made, make sense.
Why should we invest in a hospital when the nurses and doctors are run off their feet in the existing facility. We need more people working, not more stuff to operate.
The skate park, could be a beautiful underground facility with some outdoor play areas and then it would be usable year round. How about integrating a climbing area?
Whitehorse has such potential, let us rise up and show our kids that we are made of a special fabric, woven together by nature, compassion and intellect.

Up 5 Down 28

Wayne on May 21, 2015 at 4:59 pm

Too much traffic in R'dale? I don't know how you did it, but take a look around town. There is absolutely no infill taking place in R'dale. PC was stuffed to the bursting point. That's a neighbourhood with "too much traffic".

Up 26 Down 24

The real Jim Lahey on May 21, 2015 at 2:44 pm

Disrespectful? To who? Did I hurt your feelings with my words of wisdom? My proclamation of truth?
Cory N Trevor have been dispatched to your coordinates. Let's go, 2 smokes.

Up 17 Down 21

Josey Wales on May 21, 2015 at 1:53 pm

jim you please carry on freely expressing yourself on which ever topic of fancy one desires.
Unless you "choose" to heed" Wilf's suggestions and judgement of your POV.

Personally we need more dissent up here I feel, often comes across terse.. too bad.
Jim as stated, please carry on...

Up 36 Down 33

Jim L on May 21, 2015 at 12:59 pm

You are very disrespectful in your comments which helps nothing positive or constructive. You seem very negative in most of your comments.
Wilf Carter

Up 67 Down 1

Iain on May 21, 2015 at 11:46 am

The City widened the bridge (last year?) for pedestrians, bikes, and skateboards, not school buses. Last thing Riverdale needs is another school directly across from the hospital intersection which already backs traffic up to the bridge even with the traffic light upgrade. A skate park near a hospital isn't a bad thing either...

Up 43 Down 27

Curtis personnally on May 21, 2015 at 11:29 am

Curtis like Liz H likes to personalize everything in their political actions. It not about political issues, what I want as a politician.
But they forget it is what the people want not what they want.
Yukon and Whitehorse we need better representation than these two.
Next thing you know they will be building sand castles with public money so they can play in them and throw sand at each other.

Up 70 Down 31

Stan Collins on May 21, 2015 at 10:00 am

The mayor should consider a new line of work, some anger management training and possibly some meds that settles him down.

Up 53 Down 30

jwhite on May 21, 2015 at 8:07 am

It is time for Mayor and some council to set aside their personal political positions and make an effort to work together with territorial government. I am tired of the silly tirades and the pettiness. This is not your personal little fifedom folks.

Up 59 Down 73

Jim Lahey on May 21, 2015 at 2:31 am

I suggest building the park and the school in Dave Stockdales backyard.

Up 50 Down 21

June Jackson on May 20, 2015 at 4:51 pm

If it's not SIMA, it's Soccer, if it's not Soccer it's Skateboarding..

I want an old lady park that's wheelchair, gurney and oxygen accessible. I think we should tear out the hospital parking lot and part of the emerge site and build my old lady park there. And you know what? You ask any old lady if she needs a park and you'll get a 'yes'.. don't bother asking youngsters of 40 or 50 as they don't even understand old ladies.. also..I want all those folks with fancy houses off Hamilton Blvd. to pay for it, and the poorer ones in trailer courts can kick in some money for it too.

When does it end? When every special interest group in Whitehorse has badgered council until the purse is empty? News flash folks.. the bank is empty now and 600K or so in the hole. The skaters can stay on Main Street.

Up 49 Down 29

Yukon 56 on May 20, 2015 at 4:39 pm

Send the skateboarders to Poo ville aka whittle Bend.

Up 78 Down 6

Yukoner on May 20, 2015 at 4:22 pm

Holly S%$T this has to be the first time I would agree with Dan, leave the park where it is. Fix it up make it better and don't build another school in Riverdale as the traffic is too much now.

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