Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 02/01) - Yellowknife's skateboarding sub-culture wants a new skateboard park, arguing the current one is too small and dilapidated.

The Boardsport Association submitted a 110- signature petition to city council last week asking the city to make room in the budget for a new skateboard park.

"The Yellowknife skateboard park ... is no longer an appropriate facility. It is being used for purposes beyond its original intent," said the petition.

The skateboard park, which is less than a year old, is located beside Ecole St. Joseph.

Max Poulter, 14, delivered the petition to City Hall last week. He said the park is in bad shape.

"It's pretty much destroyed," said the Grade 9 Sir John Franklin student. "No one guards it at night and stuff gets broken.'

Poulter said skateboarding needs more recognition and should get the same support the city gives the gymnastics club. He thinks the city should chip in for an indoor park.

"There are a lot of people who could make pro if they could skate more than five months of the year," said Poulter.

Poulter's brother Brad, 16, said in a city with few options for youth, skateboarding is a great option.

"I'm a skateboarder and it'11

s one of the things I do that keeps me sane," he said.

The Grade 11 Sir John Franklin student, said an indoor park would "make tons of money." He said at least 20 of his friends would shell out $200 for an annual membership at an indoor park.

Poulter said having a pro skateboarder from Yellowknife would give the city exposure in places it might not otherwise get.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said he's come across the issue visiting classrooms. "In the future we have to look at enhancing it in someway," said Van Tighem.

When asked if it could be included as part of the arena complex, he said, "you never know."

Coun. Kevin O'Reilly said their request has to be weighed against other needs, but he encouraged the skaters to come to council and make a presentation.

The Poulter brothers are a little skeptical they will be taken seriously. They said older skaters didn't have much luck with city councillors.

They plan on making a presentation anyway.