A fence surrounds Powell River’s newest recreation facility, but it has not been enough to keep curious bikers and skateboarders away. Use of the facility before it is ready could further delay an already behind schedule project.
The park, located next to Powell River Recreation Complex, includes a bike skills section along with a newly constructed skateboard and BMX facility with jumps and ramps. Work began in September on both sides of the park, but the skateboard and BMX section, smaller in size, is closer to completion.
“They shouldn’t be on there at all,” said Ray Boogaards, City of Powell River director of parks, recreation and culture. But the fences are not stopping teens from trying out the new jumps. If the concrete, which is not fully hardened, is damaged it could delay its opening, said Boogaards.
The construction site is the responsibility of the contractor until the project is signed off by the city, he added.
Neil Pukesh, interim recreation manager, is leading the development of the project and working with the contractor Spectrum Skateparks, an award-winning company based in North Vancouver which has built parks in many communities across the province.
“We appreciate that everyone’s really excited about it, but until it is open please stay off it,” said Pukesh.
Work continues on the bike skills section of the park but October’s wet weather pushed the project behind schedule.
Pukesh said that the city has already given the project an extension, but they were not able to say when the work would be complete.
“The weather has been so awful,” he added. “They can’t work in that mud. They sink to their ankles.”
He added that the work crews do take advantage of any dry weather that comes along.
If the weather becomes drier and crews are able to finish the project Pukesh said the department would look at a soft opening this fall followed by a grand opening of the park in the spring.
“You never know how these things are going to go with the weather,” said Pukesh. “The crews on site are doing a great job and just taking it day by day.”
The park, when completed and opened, will be one-of-a-kind and in the top three of skills development in North America, Pukesh said.
The parks and recreation department is in the process of developing programs that will use the new facilities to teach bike and skateboard skills as well as train potential instructors in the growing sports.
