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Hundreds of kids with their scooters and skateboards flocked to the new Summerland Skatepark to celebrate its grand opening on Saturday afternoon.
The skatepark, located beside Summerland Secondary School, has already been well used since the concrete dried on the bowls and ramps in March.
The music was cranked, the tail whips were flying and the rails were screeching at Saturday’s celebration that brought dignitaries, Summerland’s Olympian and community members together to thank all the many donors who made the outdoor facility possible.
Professional skaters sponsored by Pentagon Board Shop in Penticton were also showing off their best moves as were Havoc scootering pros.
“The skatepark committee got started because we wanted a place for kids to skateboard and scooter in their own town. We wanted my son and families like the McDermids who have four kids to have a safe place to have fun,” said skatepark committee chair Erick Thompson. “Before this skatepark, kids were skateboarding near the library.”
“I think this skatepark is a mini version of the skatepark in Venice Beach. Skateboarding is becoming an Olympic sport in the future so this can be the training grounds,” he added.
Jubilee Road was closed to traffic so food trucks, a bouncy castle and other activities could take place for the festivities.
Local Olympic gold medalist Justin Kripps took part, explaining that skateboarding played a role in his Olympic journey.
“I grew up at the old skatepark. Skateboarding kind of kicked off my Olympic career,” Kripps told the crowd. “This is a great skatepark for kids to go.”
New Line Skatepark designed and built the park that costs roughly $600,000.
On Saturday, the Summerland Credit Union donated $7,500 to the skatepark project.
The District of Summerland said that money will go to finishing work including landscaping and park amenities. It’s expected that portion of the project will be complete this summer.
The project is mostly funded by federal gas tax funds, with $458,000 of the roughly $600,000 total for the project coming from that fund.
The committee received $10,000 in donations from the community as well.
