Our Viewpoint Editorials
City needs to step up, help with skate park

For the last two months, Jasper's city council has placed an item on their agenda to prohibit skateboards and similar devices on city sidewalks. Since skateboards are already illegal on city streets, this would literally outlaw the popular device from the city of Jasper.

Skateboarding has grown in popularity over recent years with the advent of several professional skateboarders such as Tony Hawk. The sport has risen through the ranks to become one of the fastest growing sports around.

But still the sport has a big black eye with Jasper officials.

Many claim the skateboards, which have taken to the sidewalks around businesses to practice their sport, have destroyed personal and business property.

Owners also believe they may have an increased amount of liability if one of these skateboarders were to seriously injure themselves in front of their property.

While both sides of the coin are arguable, the city needs to step up and help out what could become a firestorm of an issue.

While there may be some "bad apples" in the skateboarding community, there are many that plainly enjoy the sport and need a place to practice their sport. They long for stretches of concrete that will allow them to work on the moves they see on television.

It's easy to outlaw the sport and say the problem is cured. The more challenging position would be for the city to work in partnership with businesses to create a skate park at the city's park so that these young athletes can have a place to play. Grants are available for projects such as this.

The city provides a basketball court now for those interested in that sport. What is wrong with a skate park?

Step up, city leaders - our youth are depending on you.