Tofino Skatepark Update
by Miche Milford, Tofino

There are so many reasons to love the month of March. Days are getting longer and warmer, and trees are in blossom signifying our long march towards spring drawing close to it’s end. This March is exceptionally special, for many years have passed us by waiting for the start of this particular spring. On March 15 the crew from New Line Skateparks will arrive and start to work on our new skatepark!
During this winter season the skatepark has drifted out of the spotlight, but we have, by no means, been sitting idle. Over the past few months we have been busy getting the final pieces in place so when New Line arrives they can smoothly set to work doing what they do best, and that’s building perfect world renowned skateparks.

By the time you are reading this article, work on the park will be well on its way. On Feb. 23rd, R.J. (New Line’s job foreman, who happens to be as good at riding a skateboard as building world class skateparks) and Kyle (New Line’s founder and a person with a passion and love for the sport of skateboarding that has driven him to be one of the world’s leaders in skatepark building) will be arriving to finish off the rough layout and start laying down some drainlines.

After their departure we will follow their lead and finish off the drainage and rough layout so it is ready for the crew’s arrival on March 15th. Once the crew has arrived and settled in they will set to work doing the fine shaping of the park’s bowls and obstacles. The next step is to start laying down an extensive rebar grid over the contours they have laid out. Then the concrete will start to flow around April 1st, and continue for 4 - 6 weeks. Following that all the fine tuning will be done ie; ledges, rails, landscaping and any other finishing touches that are needed. If all goes as planned, which ofcourse it will, we will be playing games of s.ka.t.e on the down ledges by June 1st.

The start of the construction has sparked renewed enthusiasm for the skatepark; with each passing day that spark is slowly becoming a flame as you see the excitement building around the community. I find myself talking with more and more people everyday who are so stoked (and maybe somewhat shocked!) that this project is becoming a reality. This excitement is not only found in our community members but also in the New Line crew, coining the Tuff City Skatepark the “Holy Grail” of skatepark jobs. They cannot wait to get up here and build a beautiful skatepark, surf, hang out at the beach, and just enjoy all that Tofino has to offer. So, when you see the crew in the water give them lots of waves, because the waves they are giving us we can ride forever.

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Miche Milford has been a part of the Tofino Skatepark Committee for three years. Reach him for more info or with support and donations at 725-2072.