Finally.
Editor's note: This story was written by Jamie Elder, who has been instrumental in getting this massive project completed. It is not the usual news style, but we thought his perspective and words on the skateboard park would be more appropriate.
By Jamie ElderrnFifteen years of skateboarding dreams finally turned into reality Saturday afternoon at the grand opening of the Osoyoos Skateboard Park. The biting cold didn't dampen the spirits of the large crowd of excited skateboarders and bundled-up skateboard supporters who came to watch them perform. A small army of local youths had shovelled and swept the snow from the park every day last week to make this event possible. Local skateboarders worked for over three hours Saturday morning with salt, squeegies, brooms, towels and even a hair dryer to ensure the park would be in perfect form for the opening day contest. A border of frozen ice and snow surrounded the entire park like a white frame enclosed around the fresh, dry concrete.
The opening ceremonies focused on the Osoyoos Skateboard Park being the start of a more youth friendly Osoyoos. Let this be the first of many youth inspired projects that Osoyoos will see in the coming years said Osoyoos Skateboard Park Society president Jamie Elder. Elder also reminded the crowd on several occasions that the skateboard park project encountered numerous political road blocks throughout it's long history. We would be selling ourselves short if all local politicians simply got a pat on the back as we cut this ribbon. This project received almost no political support for many, many years and local politicians should learn from past mistakes.rnFinally The Park was officially opened and frozen feet took to grip tape as young skateboarders could be seen dropping in, grinding and catching air on every obstacle in the new park. The contest was broken into three categories – beginner, intermediate and advanced which saw 9 local youths share in over $3000 in prizes. A food bank donation was the only entrance fee and two huge boxes of food were raised by the skateboarders and their families. Onlookers were thrilled with huge air tricks and the crowds cheered as skateboarders blasted off jump ramps which sent them over 6 feet into the frozen air. Local boarders Quintin Williams took home first for beginners, followed by Dane Mendes and Hayse Harrison while Dustin Hebig place in the top three for intermediate and local ripper Dan Redmond took advanced champion.
As the prizes were handed out the kids crowded the product table for autographs from world famous pro Red Dragon Team skateboarders Aaron Johnson and Mike Hastie. Before raffle prizes were handed out the kids took part in a huge park clean-up and litter patrol which will be a weekly event at the park. Finally as arms became loaded with more free raffle prizes and a swarm of stickers showered down darkness began to surround the park. The first event of many to be held at the new Osoyoos Skateboard Park was a huge success. A young skateboarder summed up the overall feelings of the dozens of kids at the park opening when he called out to his friends in the crowd… This is the best thing that ever happened to this little town. See you here tomorrow.
