Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (May 24/02) - A group of parents and skating enthusiasts are hoping the construction of a skateboard park and permanent ice rink in Fort Simpson will keep kids entertained and lower the youth crime rate.

The group has been meeting regularly Thursday nights at the Fort Simpson Recreation Centre since last April, trying to come up with a plan to turn their vision into a reality.

Stephanie Sibbeston says they were inspired to go ahead with their plan when Jones Soda mogul Peter van Stolk came to town last month for a business development conference, and told them they should go for it.

In fact, he was so impressed with their plan, he offered them $1,800 to get started.

Unfortunately, says Sibbeston, despite van Stolk's generosity, it will likely only be a drop in the bucket of what they will eventually need to construct the skateboard park.

"It's going to cost lots," says Sibbeston. "My guess is at least $70,000 to do a decent park."

To get started, Sibbeston says the unnamed committee is planning a variety of fundraising ventures, beginning with a car wash this weekend.

They are also reaching out to local businesses for sponsorship, and to Crime Prevention Canada's community mobilization program for a possible grant.

Fort Simpson recreation co-ordinator Peter Dimaline, also a member of the committee, says he will go to the village to seeking funding there as well.

"I'm going to try and get $5,000 from the village next year," says Dimaline.

Wayne LeBlanc would also like to see the committee's plans include a couple of permanent ice rink.

LeBlanc usually builds one in the Wild Rose settlement over the winter, but feels it is time Fort Simpson had a permanent facility.

Possible sites for a rink and skateboard park, says LeBlanc, may include Wild Rose and elephant park on the North end of town.

There are, however, other issues that must be considered before either plan gets underway, says LeBlanc.

"The stumbling block I keep running into is liability," says LeBlanc. "What happens if one of the kids get hurt."

Another matter to consider, and one that leaves RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Bill Eubank somewhat skeptical, is whether the group's claim that a skateboard park would help reduce crime is valid.

"Having things for the kids to do is a good thing," says Eubank. "Will it reduce crime? No. The ones that are causing the problem aren't participating (in sporting activities). There's only a half-dozen kids causing problems."

Jeremy Antoine, a 17-year-old dirt-biking enthusiast, disagrees.

"Crime would go down, and there would be less bored people," Antoine insists. "When people are bored, crime goes up."