skatepark at halifax commons shutting down for up to a year for renovations
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josh gallant performs a trick at the halifax common skatepark on wednesday. the skatepark will be closing on thursday for a full replacement of the facility. construction is expected to take up to one year.
ryan taplin
/
the chronicle herald
the skatepark at the halifax commons will be closed for an extended period.
a statement from halifax regional municipality’s public affairs office announced the popular facility is shutting down starting thursday so the city can build an upgraded replacement. the news release said “construction is expected to take up to one year to complete.”
“the project includes the removal of the existing skatepark and the construction of a new cast-in-place concrete skatepark, along with new lighting and landscaping features,” the announcement read.
“to accommodate the work, the skatepark will be closed for the duration of construction. the multi-use path that runs from the intersection of trollope street and bell road past the skatepark to cogswell street will also be closed between cogswell street and the skatepark.
“while the path is closed, the playground can continue to be accessed via the halifax common pool walkway connecting cogswell street and bell road.”
an artist’s rendering of the upgrades planned for the skatepark at the halifax commons. – supplied by hrm
hrm added the skatepark to the commons 21 years ago and then expanded it 12 years later because of high usage. the expansion project added about 14,000 square feet of skating space. that reconstruction also took roughly a year, starting in 2006 and reaching completion in the fall of 2007.
hrm council documents from the time described how local skaters and bmx riders played a pivotal role in the design and creation of the new facility.
“the existing concrete skatepark known as the ‘bowl’ at the commons was built in 1995,” read a march 21, 2006 memo.
“since this time skateboarding and bmx biking have continued to grow in popularity. over the years participants made many attempts to build rogue ramps on which to skateboard. however, with such practice being unacceptable due to liability to the municipality, staff approached this community of skaters in 2003 on a strategy to plan a new skatepark.
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“in the winter of 2004 the halifax commons skatepark coalition was officially formed and have been working closely with staff on the planning and funding lobby for this facility. given the specialized nature of skatepark design, a nationally recognized skatepark designer, jim barnum of spectrum skatepark creations ltd., was hired in november 2004 to design the expansion with input from members of the coalition.”
gabe holloway ollies a hydrant at the halifax common skatepark on wednesday. a previous public survey done by hrm showed the populace that was polled favoured starting the overall commons renovation with the skatepark.
ryan taplin
/
the chronicle herald
this latest project is more of a refurbishing than a reimagination or expansion.
“the skatepark is approaching end of life and improvements were identified as part of the halifax common masterplan,” said hrm spokesperson graeme benjamin.
“this is a full replacement project with the skatepark being completely reconstructed.”
in the meantime, the emera oval has been open to the public for summer activities since june 1.
“residents will be able to enjoy the concrete surface for roller skating, biking, skateboarding, in-line skating and more,” read an hrm announcement.
“free equipment rentals, including bikes, scooters and skateboards, will be available, as well as access to public washrooms and first aid stations. helmets are mandatory for all users and are also available for rent free of charge. valid id is required for all rentals.”
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