A 100 Mile House mother is looking for help in building the community a new skatepark.
Last week in the wake of the Slopeline Bike Park being bulldozed, Maria Reti put together a petition on building a new skatepark for South Cariboo youth to enjoy. She said she’s looking to gauge the public interest and support for such a project.
“It’s really just a way for me to put some feelers out, do some networking and see who else would be seriously interested and have the time to invest in this cause,” Reti said. “If anybody has any ideas or feedback, the good or bad, I’m open to all of it. So far the response has been positive.”
Reti grew up in the 100 Mile House area and attended Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School growing up. After moving away to do some city hopping for several years, she returned to the community in 2015 with her partner to start a family. While she enjoys 100 Mile House’s slower pace of life, she’s always felt the community could use more activities for young people to do.
“Ever since we’ve moved back here in 2015 I’ve had this idea of starting a campaign for a skatepark,” Reti said. “I was reading last week about the Slopeline Bike Park demolition and it devastated me. That was a catalyst for me wanting to bring some life to a skatepark initiative.”
READ MORE: Slopeline Bike Park levelled by District of 100 Mile House
Reti said the youth in 100 Mile House need a success story and she’d like to provide her own children, seven and four, with something to do as they get older. She noted they’re already playing around on their dad’s skateboard at home, which is an encouraging sign.
While 100 Mile House does already have a skatepark, Reti said it’s rarely used. Its location by the 100 Mile House Municipal Campsite is less than ideal and its size leaves a lot to be desired.
Reti instead envisions a proper concrete skatepark that is professionally designed. She noted that concrete is a lot safer and easier to maintain than asphalt, which 100 Mile’s current park is built on.
“(The current skate park) is not big enough, it’s in a terrible location, just to name a few issues. It’s a very limiting skatepark,” Reti said. “It’s sad to drive by, you never see anyone use it and I don’t have memories of going there as a kid. I think a lot of skateboarders would agree that there’s no layout that promotes skateboarding there.”
When she was younger Reti said she used to longboard but other than that isn’t a skateboarder. Instead, she said she has developed an appreciation for skate culture over the years and thinks it would be a valuable thing to promote in 100 Mile House.
“The presence that skateboarders bring to a community, I think, is really important,” Reti said.
Reti’s petition can be found at change.org/p/skatepark-for-100-mile-house-show-your-support and already has over 500 signatures. Right now Reti said she’s looking for people experienced with setting up a non-profit to reach out to her with ideas and advice.
Once she has a clearer idea of what the community wants and needs, Reti said she plans to form a non-profit and come up with a plan for the skatepark. She’ll then take it to the District of 100 Mile House for their consideration and support.
“I may not have the know-how yet but I do have the heart and I feel like at the end of the day the driving force behind any sort of project like this,” Reti said. “I’ve been sitting on this project for years and I’m just feeling driven, inspired and ready to make it happen.”
