Published March 25, 2022 20:16
Lindsay, ON: On Friday, MPP Laurie Scott formally congratulated BGC Kawarthas on receiving a $475,000 Community Building Fund – Capital grant from the Government of Ontario and administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation to build Lindsay’s first permanent skatepark. Funds from the grant are being used to help with the design, construction and equipment costs for the skatepark. Once completed, it will be compatible with scooters, BMX bikes and skateboards, and will be available seven days a week for Club participants and the public as well.
“A new skatepark will be a fantastic addition to our community and will be a hub where youth can gather to participate in social sports like skateboarding and biking,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “This is a long-awaited project for Lindsay and I’m thrilled this grant will be able to bring the project to life with the help and guidance of BGC Kawarthas.”
The planning for a community skatepark at BGC Kawarthas dates back to 2010 when the Club conducted focus group sessions with youth and the community. Support for the project has continued to grow to include Club participants, the Kawartha Lakes Police Service, the Lindsay business community and active youth groups. The new facility will be located next to the Club’s outdoor basketball courts and will be completely accessible to George Street. Construction will begin in Fall 2022.
“The addition of a skatepark reinforces our value and impact to the community as a hub for children and youth,” says Amy Terrill, Executive Director. “With our Youth Services and Sports teams adding programming to complement the public use of the new skatepark, we see it as an important way to offer safe recreational activities and support community health and wellbeing. That’s why we’re calling it our Skate to a Better Future project.”
For more information on the “Skate to the Future” Project, please visit the website BGC Kawarthas, and follow the following social media platforms (Insta @bgckawarthas, Facebook: BGC Kawarthas)
About Ontario Trillium Foundation: The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
About BGC Kawarthas: BGC Kawarthas is one of the area’s largest and most diverse child and youth-serving organizations. Established in 1970, the Club provides summer camps, before and after school programs, early learning, licensed childcare, child, youth and family support services, sports, recreation, and adventure programs in ten local communities. Club locations currently serve over 8,000 children, youth, and their families through services that foster self-esteem, build skills, and develop character. Most importantly, Clubs remove financial barriers to participation by keeping program costs affordable and subsidizing all programs for families who can’t afford to pay. At our Clubs, children and youth learn to become valuable members of their communities.
Supporting Quotes
Chief Mark Mitchell, Kawartha Lakes Police Service: “I would like to congratulate BGC Kawarthas for turning this vision into reality. A purpose built skatepark will address a void in our municipal recreation infrastructure and will attract young people who may not participate in more traditional recreational activities. BGC Kawarthas is ideally suited to be the caretaker of this facility and to ensure that it is a safe and welcoming environment for all.”
“As Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Kawartha Lakes Community Safety and Well-being Plan, I am also excited that the skatepark will be focused on children and youth, which is one of the priority areas in our plan. Thank you to everyone who has supported this project and provided the youth in Kawartha Lakes with the opportunity to Skate to a Better Future!”
Carly Veitch and Sonya Vellenga, Co-Chairs- Kawartha Lakes Youth Engagement Committee: “As Co-chairs of the Kawartha Lakes Youth Engagement Committee, we want to congratulate BGC Kawarthas and thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for committing to develop a much-needed skatepark in Lindsay. Youth in our community will benefit from a meaningfully built facility that caters to their needs and provides a safe space for them to gather and to participate in active living.”
Melissa McFarland, Executive Director, Lindsay Downtown BIA: “The Lindsay Downtown BIA is thrilled that the project is moving ahead – it will be a great asset to everyone to have the park so easily accessible from the downtown core.”
For more information, contact
Nam Nguyen
BGC Kawarthas
nnguyen@bgckawarthas.com