INUVIK - Bikers and skaters are already making use of the new skate park that marks the completion of the first stage of Inuvik's new recreation area.

Andrew Robertson of Inuvik makes use of the new skate park outside the Midnight Sun Complex in Inuvik. - Samantha Stokell/NNSL photo

Once the new high school and elementary school are complete and the old school is demolished, the Town of Inuvik will build a recreation area, complete with a soccer pitch, tennis courts, a second baseball diamond and possibly even an amphitheatre. The new skate park, finished on June 12, is the first part of that plan.

"We definitely needed to replace the other one and create an area where kids will be comfortable," said Tony Devlin, director of community services. "We want to create an area of parks that everyone can use."

The new skate park replaces an old wooden structure outside Samuel Hearne Secondary School. Due to vandalism and warping wood, the town had plans to replace it for years. Last summer when the town started paving streets and the youth centre was relocated to the former food bank building, the town paved a section outside the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex in anticipation of the skate park.

This year, with funding from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and from capital investment, the town is able to invest in a new, powder-coated steel park with a 20-year warranty.

Last year the town also consulted with youth to make sure they would use the park. They wanted a halfpipe and the ability to move some pieces around the park, as well as a place to sit and hang out. They have those and a few other key features, too, including a picnic table and several rails.

"The day it was installed, there were kids out there in the pouring rain," Devlin said. "I'd say every day there's 30 to 40 kids using it."

Devlin noted that the skaters and BMXers' ages range from six to 20 and on weekend mornings, parents are taking their children out to the park before the older kids arrive. It's being used by a large portion of the community.

In August, Devlin has plans to hold a skate jam competition and hopes to bring up a professional skater to judge and do some tricks. He also hopes to hold a graffiti competition to allow the users to make the park their own.

Continuing along the recreation facility improvement theme, the town will also replace old playgrounds at Camsell, Kugmalit, Semmler and Ruyant with modular steel ones.

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