Yellowknife (Oct 01/04) - It's time to remove a nearby skateboard park. That was the message Ecole St. Joseph principal Flo Campbell took to City Hall Monday night.

She told council that the school spent $25,000 just last year, repairing damage caused by vandals, including $12,000 for lighting to brighten up the school grounds.

Campbell said she supported the creation of skateboard park adjacent to the school when it was built in 1997 but not any more.

"It has to be moved now," said Campbell, noting that legitimate users are being "lost in the shuffle."

"It's time to create a safer place for kids to skateboard."

The troubled relationship between the skateboard park and nearby residents and Ecole St. Joseph has been well documented, almost from the day the park first opened.

Noise complaints

The developer of the condominium complex across the street on Williams Ave. took the permit for the park to the development appeal board, complaining that the noise the park would generate could lower property values.

Residents began complaining about the park the first full summer it was open in 1998. Those complaints were the same as they are today: noise, foul language, drinking, drugs and vandalism.

A $30,000 fence was erected around the skateboard park last year, but because it is rarely locked at night, older kids still come to party.

"When you get crowds of 40-50, trouble begins," said Campbell.

Despite the recently installed break-resistant windows at the school, vandals still manage to smash them.

School staff have tried cleaning up the grounds on their own time but it doesn't take long before broken glass, condoms and litter begin collect once again in the school play areas.

Visitors to the school have sometimes been assailed by belligerent teens under the influence of drugs or alcohol, said Campbell. She complained that when the school calls bylaw, they are told the park is public property and the officers refuse to come to the school.

Campbell said she is tired of complaining to City Hall and wants council to take action.

"The talk just goes round and around and around," said Campbell.

City councillor Doug Witty asked the principal where she thought the park ought to be moved.

"I don't have the answers but I'll work 100 per cent to help you find them," said Campbell.

Shawn McCann, president of the NWT Boardsports Association, attended the city council meeting with several other skateboard enthusiasts.

McCann said she supports moving the skateboard park, preferably to an area near McNiven Beach on Frame Lake.

Consultant came up

She said a Vancouver skateboard park consultant even came to Yellowknife last year and recommended that spot as the best central location in the city.

Another local group made a pitch about a month ago to turn the Gerry Murphy Arena site into an indoor skateboard park.

McCann said that would be nice but the most important thing is making sure the kids still have some place to skate if the current park is removed.

"Of course we'd support that," said McCann.

"But we're just making sure something happens."

What city council is thinking

What should be done with the skateboard park?

Kevin O'Reilly:

I think we need a public process to identify alternatives. I'm not sure if moving the location will solve the problem.

Alan Woytuik:

It depends ultimately on what location is found for it and how it will be funded. I'm not sure picking it up will solve the vandalism problem at the school.

Wendy Bisaro:

Bisaro is out of town and could not be reached for comment.

Mark Heyck:

I'm pretty much of the opinion that it should be moved. I think the area around the (Wade Hamer) mini-golf would be a better spot for it.

Bob Brooks:

I think the most appropriate place for it is by the Multiplex. I don't like the idea of moving it by the mini-golf. There is a history of vandalism there and it can't be supervised.

Dave McCann:

We need a new area that is viewable and well-lit. I don't think a move alone will solve the problem.

Blake Lyons:

Unfortunately the (skateboard park) is attracting the wrong crowd. It's a problem area, so let's move it to the Wade Hamer golf course.

Doug Witty:

I want to see some options presented. If we leave it there, we'll need to figure out how to fix the problem. If we move it, the problem will follow it.