On June 1, 2023, a ground-breaking ceremony was held for the new Fernie Skate Park.
With project partners the federal and provincial governments, and the Columbia Basin Trust already on board, the City of Fernie was pleased to announce that the final funding was in place with a donation from Teck of $250,000.
The upcoming Fernie Skate Park will replace the existing facility with an “all-wheel” sports park, catering to various activities such as skateboarding, inline skating, BMX biking, and scootering. In addition to promoting community recreation and health, the Fernie Skate Park will serve as a venue for youth programming initiatives, community events, and local competitions, fostering inclusivity and creating opportunities for engagement.
Teck’s contribution will specifically support the construction of the Fernie Skate Park roof. Designed in collaboration with the Fernie community, the park’s new roof structure will enhance accessibility for families and visitors by providing additional protection from weather and extending the park’s usability throughout the seasons.
“The new Fernie Skate Park will provide a great asset to our community, renewing a well-loved recreation amenity and offering enhanced low-barrier access to outdoor recreation and encouraging participation in healthy activities,” said Nic Milligan, City of Fernie Mayor. “We are thankful for the backing of Teck and our other project partners for driving the success of this new community hub.”
“Teck’s contribution underscores our longstanding relationship with the Fernie community and our commitment to helping to build healthy, vibrant communities in the areas where we operate,” said Robin Sheremeta, Senior Vice President, Coal, Teck.
Initial funding of $1.28 million for the skate park project was announced in April 2022, with federal and provincial grants through the Canada Infrastructure Program. Other funding came through the Columbia Basin Trust and the Resort Municipality Initiative Program, which provides funds for tourism infrastructure projects in B.C.’s resort communities.
