With the recent charges that volunteerism in on the wane in Innisfail, citizens now have a golden opportunity for some redemption.
This time it's for the kids. It is also an endeavour where the kids should not just sit around and let the grown-ups do all the work.
Momentum is gathering steam for the new skateboard park. There was nervousness at town hall that the planned April 28 Skatepark Design Workshop would not be well attended. There was no need to worry. The workshop was a spectacular success. Those wonderful dudes with attitudes came, and the 50 or so who did, did not just sit around and chat and high-five among themselves about their successes with the coolest tricks.
They actively engaged with project designer Trevor Morgan, of New Line Skateparks, about what is needed to have the best skatepark in Central Alberta. For an hour and a half, there was the incredible sight of watching teenagers listening and exchanging ideas without sending out a single text on their cellphones.
The faces of town councillors were beaming. Mayor Brian Spiller, who has long been an advocate for a new park, was as giddy as a kid with a funny hat doing twist and turns. But no, we won't see the good mayor high-fiving on any new skatepark, but he knows a new facility is the best recreational investment the town could ever have. Not only does it make sound fiscal sense, as a skatepark does not have the huge annual maintenance costs like the Arena or Aquatic Centre, but it also provides an important focal point to not only attract new citizens and investment to the town but a venue that will keep people here.
More importantly, however, the turnout at the library and the excitement of seeing so many kids become engaged is only a first step. Henry Wong, the town's director of community services told the audience after the New Line presentation that funding was needed, and that the community had to step up to ensure this wonderful dream project for the town's youth becomes reality.
Certainly, the service clubs will make a huge difference on this point. But more is needed, and it has to come from the kids, and even their parents, to give some of their time for this incredibly worthwhile community project. Naturally, money raised from bottle drives and garage sales won't make a measurable difference against the estimated $500,000 cost for the park, but that is not really the point. What is really important is maintaining community-wide enthusiasm for a project that will ultimately produce a million smiles and a sense of civic pride, not to mention what it will do for the self-esteem of every kid who can at the end of the day say to themselves, “Hey, I contributed to this.”
And there lies the redemption. It was just 10 months ago when Innisfail was alive from the celebration of volunteerism that fulfilled the dream of having the best playground for kids in Central Alberta with the marvellous Innisfail Schools Campus project.
A new celebration is now waiting.
