Local Community Advertising
Pro BMX rider Andrew Lazaruk grew up in West Kelowna, and while he's been living in Los Angeles in recent years, one reason it's nice to be home is the skate park by the Johnson Bentley Pool.
The swimming pool-style bowls are a rare gem, so it worries him to hear it will soon be bulldozed.
The City of West Kelowna, the Westbank First Nation and the Okanagan Regional Library have announced the groundbreaking on a new skatepark which will be part of a new civic complex nearby.
"We're making history together," remarked Mayor Gordon Milsom at the groundbreaking.
"We are honoured and excited to be a part of this project," added Chief Christopher Derickson.
But at the nearby existing skatepark that is about to be replaced, there is concern.
"The really cool thing about this skate park is this bowl," said Lazaruk, pointing to what looks like a big empty concrete swimming pool.
"It is something that attracts, typically, the older more experienced type of either bike rider or skateboarder."
So he's hoping to see something similar when the new park is complete.
"It's why I come here," he added.
"There aren't too many bowls like this in British Columbia or Western Canada that are specifically like this one, so it does attract people from all over."
He'd love to see an exact replica.
"Fingers crossed, hopefully, it's something close," said Lazaruk.
The design of the new skatepark does include a feature that's very similar, and you can see it in the upper right-hand corner of the rendering.
12-year-old Hayden Ronald said he likes the existing park, but he's excited about having a new one.
"I think they have something better going on that they want," he said.
And his younger brother Ben said he's looking forward to seeing some easier features to learn on.
"This skatepark is pretty good, but it's a little bit hard for people that just start," he said.
The new facility is scheduled to officially open this fall.
Local Community Advertising