The project to expand the skateboard park in Smithers continues.
Phase 2, which will see an eight foot bowl added on, has just begun.
“First, is the land prep,” said Smithers Skate Park Society director Jake Daly. “So that’s what you see going on right now. And that’s getting the foundation done and putting in drainage. And then our concrete team Radius will be showing up in August. And that’s when we’ll have the bowl completed. And we’re also hoping to add on a couple extra things this year to Phase 2, including a transitional area, a paved area between the existing skate park and the bowl, as well as a bench and a sign incorporated into it, showcasing some of the sponsors. It’ll be a nice place to rest for your friends or family who are enjoying the new part.”
This phase is expected to cost a little over half a million dollars to complete.
“Various contractors and materials quoted us at $515,000 but that was in 2021,” he explained. “We’re planning on prices to probably jump an average of 20 per cent as we circle back to all of our contractors and suppliers. So may have to do a little bit of additional fundraising, but we’re close enough that we’re confident we can get it done this year. So that’s why we’ve went ahead and broken ground.”
Phase 1 was completed in 2022 at a cost of $807,000 and was double in size to the original one.
It is frequently being used by bikers and boarders of all ages.
“It’s cool,” Daly added. “It’s been super exciting to see lots of people that were frequently using the older section, the part before the expansion, but there’s tons of new folks too like, families, and mixed user groups. And it’s exciting after putting all this work and see so many people in the community enjoying it. It’s just going to be even better as we complete phase two this year and phase three next year.”
Phase 3 will include lighting and landscaping and is slated for 2025.
Daly added the society has been approached by other community members and groups with other ideas for Heritage Park.
“The town of Smithers is coming out with an official recreation plan that our committee is eagerly awaiting,” he said. “And so, we’re getting the skate park completed, and we’re excited about that. But there’s even more exciting possibilities for Heritage Park in the coming years. So we’re really excited to be part of that and keep the momentum going.”
The Skate Park Society is asking that the users of the park respect the boundaries of the construction zone for their safety and well-being and that of the crews working on it.