Thrills, spills and – despite the sweltering weather – a few chills marked the grand opening of Waterford’s new skate park on Wednesday.
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Several hundred people crowded under the shade of nearby trees to watch seasoned athletes doing scary-looking flips, grinds and spins at the long-awaited facility, laid out on Alice Street between the river and the Heritage and Agricultural Museum.
“It’s been hard trying to hold people back,” said Kerry Bockenholt, the chair of the group behind the huge project.
“They’ve been sneaking in past the fences and locks because the excitement has really been building.”
At the opening, youths ranging in age from preschoolers to those in their 20s, took turns gliding around the new park on boards, BMX bikes, and razor scooters.
“There are no age limits. Kids can come free and are getting fresh air, exercise, learning technique from each other and meeting other people,” said Bockenholt.
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She and her friend Marlene McCulligh had the original idea for the park in 2017 but the community soon enthusiastically joined in with donations, contributions of time and resources and the support of many of the area’s social service clubs.
The final project is valued at about $1 million.
Engineering technologist and BMX rider Matt Alderson, from Vallee Engineering, designed the park with input from other bikers and skaters and says it will draw southern Ontario enthusiasts because it’s one of two or three such free facilities to have a full-size box jump.
Alderson said the design incorporates areas for riders, skateboarders and a mixed area that can be used by even young kids.
He says there’s a concrete bowl with a five-foot low end and seven-foot high end; an A-frame with rail and ledge; a stair set with downrail; an eight-foot roll-in; a seven-foot quarter; and a five-foot box jump.
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“This will give kids in the area a great opportunity,” Alderson said.
“The guys I ride with used to drive two hours on a weeknight to ride because there was nowhere big enough for us, but we’ll come here.”
Actual construction was overseen by Tom and Angie O’Hara from Villages of Waterford.
“It’s consumed our lives for the last two years,” said Angie O’Hara, who was thrilled to see people lining up to use the complex after having protective fences in place for the last few weeks.
Some skaters couldn’t wait to sneak in but one visitor – an opossum that got into the bowl and couldn’t get out last weekend – needed extra assistance to leave, she said.
“I didn’t sneak in,” said boarder Jimmy Barker, “but it crossed my mind.
“It’s just awesome and I love how shady it is around the area. Everything is great about it.”
The concrete dips and paths are surrounded by mature trees, picnic tables and park benches.
@EXPSGamble
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