A design concept for a new skatepark at Parkland Hall. (submitted photo/City of Prince Albert)

By Charlene Tebbutt

skateboarding

New skatepark coming to the West Flat

May 1, 2019 | 12:00 PM

Kids in the West Flat area of Prince Albert will soon have more recreational opportunities, thanks to the efforts of a well-known local philanthropist and entrepreneur.

Work on a new skateboard park is underway at Parkland Hall. Malcolm Jenkins, who owns Canadian Tire in Prince Albert, is contributing $60,000 for a portable skateboard park at the facility. Jenkins has also enlisted the help of a graffiti artist he knows to decorate the rink boards at the hall, “like the big cities.”

Jenkins said all kids in the city should have the chance to enjoy skateboarding. He was involved with building the skateboard park near the Art Hauser Centre on the other side of the city as well, and said he’s happy to support the community that continues to support him.

“The kids there could sure use it,” Jenkins said of the West Flat. “It’s quite inexpensive and it’s quite fast to do, and it’s just as much fun. I mean if a kid’s whizzing by on a skateboard, they don’t really care if they’re jumping on concrete or steel, they just do it.”

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The City of Prince Albert is contributing $75,000 to cover the rink surface and basketball court with asphalt for the new skatepark. The rink currently has a grassy surface.

Jody Boulet, recreation director with the City of Prince Albert, told councillors this week that the portable skateboard park will be safe, efficient and durable. The city will store the portable skatepark components each winter, he said.

Skateboard and BMX representatives were consulted on the design of the new park, a report to council said this week. The park’s initial design will be an introductory concept, but additional components can be added in the future to meet demand.

Ward 1 Coun. Charlene Miller represents the area and said the new skate park will be a great gathering place for children and families. Parkland Hall is a popular venue in the local neighbourhood, Miller added.

“It’s extremely busy and the community uses it a lot, so it will be well used,” she said.

Jenkins is happy the Parkland rink will soon be in use year round. He plans to add his father’s name, Alfred, to the skatepark once work is complete to honour his memory. Jenkins is also behind plans for a new accessible playground near the Alfred Jenkins Field House, which is set to open later this month.

“The Jumpstart project’s that’s going there is called Alfred’s playground, and this will be called Alfred’s Skatepark,” he added.

The portable skatepark will be ready for action in the coming weeks.

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Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt