City of Powell River council chambers were overflowing during the Thursday, February 20, council meeting, as members of the public sporting bicycle helmets and lining available floor space spilled out into the hallway.
Students from several schools were on hand to show support for the new bike skills and skateboard park.
The initiative was started by Tyson Wilson, a student at Brooks Secondary School. In a letter to council written last year, Wilson identified numerous problems, design flaws and safety concerns with the existing park next to Powell River Recreation Complex and asked council to intervene.
After much deliberation and after all councillors weighed in on the subject, a unanimous vote in favour of developing the park was handed down, much to the joy of those in attendance. Powell River Community Forest Ltd. has agreed to fund the project.
Councillor Jim Palm, who, along with councillor Russell Brewer, was an advocate from the start, stressed that the occasion marked an important teachable moment for the students who were in attendance. “It’s important for the students to realize the process we go through each week and to realize what goes into making decisions like this. We recognize the need to do something for the youth of the community.”
Council has opted to proceed while seeking other possible funding sources. “The [Powell River] community forest association indicated that they anticipate having enough to cover the entire amount,” Palm said. “We will have a plan in place to submit matching funds from a grant.”
Mayor Dave Formosa pointed out that Brewer was instrumental in making the project happen. Brewer said that it was important for rural communities to create opportunities to attract and keep youth in the community.
Brewer made a motion to submit an application to community forest for a cost not to exceed $550,000 for design and build and consultation with the community. “We need to just get on with this and make it happen,” Brewer said.
