A petition opposing plans for a skateboard park in Centennial Park gained more than 550 signatures from people participating in the Glacier Challenge softball tournament last weekend, though there are questions about the wording of the petition
The petition was circulated by Lina Sihlis, the head of Revelstoke Minor Ball, who has been vocal in her opposition to removing a ball field in order to build a skateboard park.
Hundreds of people signed the petition, most from outside of Revelstoke. However, there are questions surrounding the petition because some indicate that two fields are threatened while others state that only one is. There is also no mention that two new fields are being built as part of the new schools project. Nor does the petition mention the new bike park.
People that signed the petition gave various reasons opposing the proposed plan. Randy Stuart from Langley, B.C., said it would cause a problem by attracting kids to the fields during the tournament at a time when there is heavy alcohol consumption taking place.
Corie Brown from Cranbrook said it would take away revenue from the community because less people would come to the tournament.
City council gave unanimous approval to using Centennial Park as a location for a new skateboard park and bike park at it’s meeting on July 26. It directed staff to come up with a site plan for the new facilities.
Proponents of both the skateboard and bike parks said they will be built through fundraising. The former is expected to cost about $800,000 while the latter is budgeted for under $10,000.
Sihlis said she was speaking for all ball players in Revelstoke but the skate and bike park plan is favoured by organizers of the Glacier Challenge.
Still, Sihlis is hoping her petition changes people’s minds on the matter by showing them how much tourists value the Centennial Park location for the tournament.
She is suggesting Kovach Park, Mountain View Elementary or the old dirt bike track near the industrial park as alternate locations.
She intends on presenting her petition to council at their meeting on Aug. 23, 2010.