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THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 20, 2012
New Skatepark Set to Debut on Campus By Scott Steedman, UBC UBC and the UNA have now greenlighted Canada’s first campus skatepark, a place for teens — and the community — to ride and hang out. “Not all teens are into team sports,” says Eric Coulombe. He is standing on a patch of soggy grass off Thunderbird Boulevard, next to a parkade, a basketball court and a massive electricity generating station. He’s in the heart of UBC’s Vancouver campus, on the site for a new skatepark, and he can almost hear the whirr of little wheels. “Skateboarding is more individualistic, artistic, creative. It’s still physical but it fits into the culture differently. It’s what a lot of teens need — I certainly did. I love the expressiveness of it.” Coulombe doesn’t look like the stereotypical skateboarder. OK, he is wearing jeans and has a beard, but it’s neatly trimmed and he’s well dressed. He could be a real estate agent or someone’s dad —in fact, he’s both. And 42. He just happens to be a UTown@UBC resident and a lifelong skater, and a keen advocate for UBC’s new skatepark. “The downside of skateboarding is that it’s noisy, which attracts attention, not all of it good,” he says. “It can be wowed upon or frowned upon. If it’s not accepted into the community, it can end up being stigmatized. Kids are gonna do it, so we should give them a space where they can do it safely.” When Coulombe was a teenager, there was nowhere to skate; he remembers running away from security guards in downtown parkades. Those days are long gone, but the sport still has a way to go before it completely shakes its rebel image. “The park is a public space where people can gather and skate,” says Adam
Concept Model Drawing (May 2012) - UBC Multi-Use Skatepark. Photo credit New Line Skateparks, and van der Zalm and Associates Cooper, Transportation Planner at UBC’s Transportation Planning Office. “It’s not a graffiti-covered concrete jungle that’s going to attract unwanted visitors. It will be a fun, safe, recreational space for skateboards, BMX bikes and in-line skaters. A place close to the campus neighbourhoods for local youth to enjoy themselves, along with our students and the general public.” UBC and the University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA) formed a partnership to fund and develop the proposed
park, and are working with New Line Skateparks and landscape architects van der Zalm and Associates. The project has been presented to stakeholders at two open houses, in January and March. A total of 263 people gave their feedback at the first stage, and three possible designs were shown at the second one, and the proposed location announced. The third and final step will be a final design presentation, now that the University and the UNA have agreed to pursue construction of the park. “Our community welcomes this unique facility,” says Prod Laquian, UNA Chair. “It is designed for both beginners and more expert skateboarders. We in the UNA are grateful to UBC for making the land and part of the funding available to
have it built.” The project will be Canada’s first campus skatepark. Coulombe thinks UBC is the perfect place for it. “There are so many young people out here, many of them students, and a lot of them are really stressed out. And still figuring out who they are.” “Skateboarding is an artistic, expressive sport, and a great way to relieve stress. I still use it for that! And it’s lot cheaper than getting all that hockey gear.” To see the latest information on the skatepark, visit the UBC Multi-Use Skatepark website. Reprinted with permission from UBC campus and community planning, July newsletter
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