Summerland youth have a new place to go hang out, exercise, skin their knees and collect bruises.
The Summerland Asset Development Initiative recently finished construction of a halfpipe available for the area’s youth to use.
“We thought building something for the skateboarders and BMXers would improve our attendance for students while offering a safe place where they can practise their hobby, rather than downtown on curbs and stuff,” said project director Laceydawn Loeppky.
The halfpipe was designed by R.J. Dueck, a professional skate park builder and designer, who has guided the construction of over 50 of the largest skate parks in North America, including the Penticton Skate Park.
The official unveiling of the halfpipe will be held on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the SADI parking lot at 9117 Prairie Valley Rd., where there will be free burgers and drinks.
The organizers of the development initiative hope that the halfpipe will attract more youth to SADI. The pipe is open from noon to 5 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. Those wanting to use the halfpipe will be required to register as a member of SADI, as well as bring their own helmets.
A number of local groups came together to help make the halfpipe a reality; Shawn Hoffarth of Skatelife Canada, Luke Riemer of Akribis Construction and the Summerland Builders Mart all contributed to the halfpipe’s completion.