By next spring, youths from across Red Deer should be flocking to Glendale Middle School — or at least to the lot next to it.
The city’s municipal planning commission has given the green light for development of a skatepark at 6391 76th St. And, according to Trevor Morgan, vice-president of designer-builder New Line Skateparks Inc., the city-owned facility will be state-of-the-art.
“Certainly the park will stand, from our perspective and our experience — which is almost 200 (skateparks) across the world — as one of the tops in North America, for sure.”
To be built on a nearly 160,000-square-foot site at the corner of Taylor Drive and 77th Street, the skatepark will include a “plaza terrain” area that duplicates typical urban features like ledges, planters and handrails, said Morgan.
It will also boast a pair of bowls: a “flow bowl” and a “traditional pool-style bowl.”
“The features provide opportunities for all ages and abilities,” he said, adding that the skatepark will be “light years” ahead of Red Deer’s existing skatepark near Rotary Park.
City project manager Jerry Hedlund added that a north Red Deer skatepark will serve the needs of young residents on that side of the community.
“We might even be drawing kids from south and central Red Deer to the north side of Red Deer to do their skating.”
Morgan said the new skatepark, which is budgeted at $1.2 million, will be suitable for skateboards, BMX bikes, scooters and in-line skates.
He thinks the park will also attract people who simply want to watch the action or enjoy the setting.
Hedlund said he likes the fact the design includes lots of green space and landscaping.
There will also be a washroom on site.
Two public open houses and an online survey did not generate any negative comments, he noted.
“We’ve had nothing but positive feedback.”
Hedlund expects work on the skatepark to begin as soon as the municipal planning commission’s decision has been advertised and the appeal period expires.
“If all goes well, we hope to hit the site on the 24th of September.”
If the weather co-operates, the build will take about 16 weeks, said Morgan.
“The intent is to get as much work as we can this fall, and then just be doing the finishing touches so we can have an early spring opening.”
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com