‘It would be a big loss’: Píhtikwé Skatepark in Portage Place looking for new home

The skatepark inside Portage Place Mall is looking for a new home amid the redevelopment of the old shopping centre.

For the past year, the Píhtikwé Skatepark has been set up on the main floor of Portage Place.

“It’s been a really good, proven concept,” said Daniel McRorie, the park’s executive director. “We’ve got a lot of local youth in the neighbourhood using the space regularly, which is the intention of it.”

But McRorie said his team just found out it will be losing the space in the mall at the end of September due to the redevelopment of Portage Place.

“We’ve only been here a year, but now that it’s here, losing it would be a big loss,” he said.

McRorie said the new space needs to be indoors so it can provide programming throughout the winter. He said the organization is now launching a fundraiser to help fund and find a new space.

He said it is important that Píhtikwé Skatepark continues, as it has been helping the at-risk youth in the community.

“This space really keeps the youth out of trouble, giving them a place to come that’s an alternative to being out there,” McRorie said, adding there are no barriers as equipment and gear is provided.

“This is a safe environment that provides a healthy option, and it creates community culture.”

More details about the search for a new home can be found on the Píhtikwé Skatepark website.