New skateboard park planned in northern Manitoba First Nation
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The youth in a First Nation in northern Manitoba will soon be grinding rails and dropping in on half-pipes in their own skate park thanks to a new project set to begin this summer.
The youth in a First Nation in northern Manitoba will soon be grinding rails and dropping in on half-pipes in their own skate park thanks to a new project set to begin this summer.
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation announced this week that it will be installing a 7,000 square foot outdoor public skate park. Construction expected to start at the beginning of July and finish up by mid-August.
Nicholas Campbell, assistant director of education in the community, came up with the idea with his colleagues last summer.
"I just thought it'd be awesome to have a skate park, because they're super user friendly, easy to maintain, kids just show up and utilize the space," he said, adding outdoor recreation is limited in the community.
"(There's) nothing that you can really just show up to without an employee working there. I think that's the important part of the skate park – you can just show up whenever and utilize it.
He said one of the biggest barriers for youth in remote First Nation communities is the lack of recreational programming or opportunity. He said the skate park will be a welcome and inclusive addition to the community.
To get this project done, Nisichawayasihk has partnered with Manitoba-made company Drop In Skateparks based in Kleefeld, Man.
