There are a lot of negative accusations flying around regarding the proposed skatepark location in Regina, and the way in which the City of Regina and Wascana Centre Authority has approached the whole process.
Most people thought that decision of the location was finalized; water under the bridge. This isn’t the case. There is currently a lawsuit (please read this) against the City of Regina and the Wascana Centre Authority about their process of site selection for the forthcoming skatepark. If this lawsuit does indeed make it to court, the skatepark could be delayed for at least another year, if not altogether.
It is a sad fact that certain individuals have banded together against a project that is aimed at the youth of our City. There has been promotion of unfounded fear regarding negative impacts to the residents and environment around the skatepark- all hearsay. It’s our thought that most of the community would like to give something to the kids; give them a place to stay busy in a positive way. Unfortunately, it looks as though not all feel this way. If the energetic youth of Regina don’t have a positive outlet for their free time, it’s likely that the hearsay made by the group against the skatepark will become a reality. A place made for kids in our community should be encouraged, not defeated.
Progression in Regina is necessary to retain the youth of our city. The skatepark would be one of these steps of progression. Hopefully this park would foster any remaining faith in Regina that many kids have. It wouldn’t be hard to understand why the process against the skatepark would make them feel unwelcome. We’re sure the justice system of our province has the brains and balls to snuff the process that is against the skatepark and will promote growth in Regina.
Visibly, there hasn’t been a lot formal public support of the park and its proposed location, though we know that there are thousands of people in support of the location. The skatepark needs your support. The City of Regina has been behind this project for a few YEARS now, and the Wascana Centre Authority has been 100% behind this youth-friendly project since they were approached with this opportunity. These organizations need some formal praise and support for their efforts in this project. This is where YOU come in.
Please contribute to the new skateboard park by sending a letter of support (via email or snailmail) to the following individuals. Their organizations have been behind the skatepark from the beginning, and need recognition. Please keep the letters positive. If you aren’t of voting age, that’s great. If you can get your parents and grandparents in on this as well, even better. The more, the merrier.
Louis Browne, Councillor Ward 1, City of Regina
PO Box 1790
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 3C8
email: lbrowne@regina.ca
Mayor Pat Fiacco, City of Regina
PO Box 1790
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 3C8
email: pfiacco@regina.ca
Van Isman, Executive Director of Wascana Centre Authority
PO BOX 7111
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 3S7
email: visman@wascana.sk.ca
In addition to any letters sent to these individuals, letters to the editor of the Leader Post may be printed to help instigate the support of other individuals within Regina.
Editor
c/o Regina Leader-Post
1964 Park Street
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 3G4
letters@leaderpost.canwest.com
We’d like to keep track of all of the positive feedback being sent to the CofR and the WCA, so feel free to CC us on any emails or letters. We’d appreciate it!
If you’d like to forward this to anyone, the link is here:
http://www.tikiroomskateboards.com/wordpress/?p=429
Thanks, as always,
The Tiki Room
One of the best parts of this whole skatepark experience was dealing with Lorne Scott. That guy is legit to his cause, and passed no judgement on skateboarders. He is a fine and understanding human being. Thanks, Lorne.
So apparently the leader post called my house and wants to publish the letter i wrote.
This is what I sent to all the contacts.
Im gonna keep this short but sweet. There is currently a lawsuit against Wascana Centre Authority and The City of Regina in regards to the location of the new skateboarding plaza being built.
I have one request. Go to the skatepark on Rochdale on a beautiful warm day. You will see a lot of kids with their parents, even some from other cities who dont have a skatepark (Ive met some from as far as yorkton!). Also, there is little or no effect on the environment. Being a Plaza, it wouldnt even look like a skatepark.
In a sense the lawsuit is based on discrimination because they are sueing the City of Regina about a skatepark being built. Would they complain about a hockey rink being built there? Only difference is that one is in the summer and the other is in the winter. They are both not used half of the time of a year.
If they win this case, nothing can stop me from sueing the City of Regina for the hockey rink that is near my house. All I’d need to do is use the EXACT SAME arguments.
The lawsuit goes against these morals:
-Supporting the youth of Regina
-Supporting the LOCAL businesses of Regina (IMAX, Science Center, The Tiki Room, Off Axis, Goodwood, Sunshine and Ski, 306 hiphop skateshop, sportchek, the list could go on…)
-FUTURE PLANS for Wascana Center (think about this one).
How many people are issuing this lawsuit? Two? Three? How many kids skateboard in the City of Regina? Two? Three thousand?
Thanks for reading my message.