North Vancouver skateboarders gain temporary park
Posted March 29, 2022 10:21 pm.
Last Updated March 30, 2022 7:09 am.
Skateboarders in North Vancouver are losing their Lonsdale skatepark to a new recreation centre, but through their best efforts they may have found middle ground with the city.
Community members and park-goers led a petition to keep the skatepark at Mahon Park, which gained them a temporary park during construction.
Mayor Linda Buchanan says there are plans to build a temporary facility at Mahon Park, and she appreciates the input from the skating community as they tried to save Lonsdale with a petition.
“This is important for the young people in our community. I love that. I love that they feel so strongly about something and I love that they’ve made their voices known,” Buchanan told CityNews.
Great news for skateboarders! The City is exploring options for a temporary skate park at Mahon Park while the new Lonsdale Skate Park is under construction. #NorthVan https://t.co/B5qtoaolUH
— Mayor Linda Buchanan (@LindaCBuchanan) March 29, 2022
Aside from setting aside $175 thousand to build the temporary park, the mayor also apologized to the youth who frequented the old park.
The skatepark will be demolished to make way for the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre which is set to be under construction through 2025.
“Unfortunately, given the sheer size and scope of the project, where the current skate park is, the new aquatic centre will be. This site is the largest excavation that needs to happen immediately. Our staff brought [skaters] together and discussed, you know, what the future of the new development will be, and the Harry Jerome will have a new park,” Buchanan explained.
The city says the location of the temporary park will be next to the basketball and pickle ball courts, in an effort to prevent noise reaching residents nearby. Buchanan says she hopes the new park will be built by the summer so kids on break can have somewhere to go and enjoy themselves.
“We value them being out, being healthy, and using that infrastructure. So certainly, as soon as we can get this built, the better.”
– With files from Greg Bowman
