The Mecca of Vancouver’s skateboarding community has found itself in the city’s crosshairs.
The Plaza skate park has long been the shining urban jewel of skaters but its precarious position under the Georgia viaduct means the concrete park, famous for its street-inspired features, has an uncertain future.
The city is currently exploring what to do with the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts, which could lead to the demolition of the elevated expressways and the redevelopment of the area.
Staff won’t be submitting their report until May 2011, but skaters want in on the discussion now.
“We want the city to know that we’re here and are stakeholders in this,” said Chris Young, of the Vancouver Skateboard Coalition. “This is our hotspot when it comes to the community. It’s the world’s first plaza-style skate park in the world. It’s where everyone goes and we’d love to see it stay.”
Young said the plaza used to be an empty parking lot filled with “junkies” and the skaters, with the help of the city, have turned it into positive part of the community.
The Plaza’s perfect location has even kept many skateboarders from grinding up the downtown core.
With real estate being hard to come by for skaters, the coalition is trying to hang on to their cherished park.
Young made his plea in front of council Thursday.
“Frankly I don’t think the city would stop [development] because of skaters, but we want to be involved,” he said. “Youth need to have a voice in this city.”
