REGINA — The news of Regina’s Heritage Skatepark's inside upcoming closure has left the skateboarding community devastated.
Last week, the park’s organizers, the Regina Skateboard Coalition (RSC), announced the site would close after Saturday, Feb. 28, as the organization is dissolving its current board members effective March 1.
The reason behind closure and dissolution wasn't confirmed, and SaskToday received no response from organizers for an interview request.
Joel Harrison, who has skated at the park since its opening, said it was a huge connecting point for the local community.
“We saw a really diverse group of people show up, which is always, I think, a sign of health in any community when you see a lot of different types of people accessing the activity.”
Harrison said skateboarding is a great way for people to showcase their self-expression.
“It makes me feel good, it's really good for the mind, for the spirit.”
Regina’s Heritage Skatepark was the city’s only indoor skatepark, which now leaves a gap in options during colder months.
“Without a skateboard park for half the year, it does limit exposure and availability for people to get started for sure,” said Harrison.
The park re-opened in 2022 under the RSC after the Regina Exhibition Association Limited's previous skateboard park was torn down as part of the demolition of the old Mosaic Stadium.
The RSC, formed in 2020, previously occupied the basement of the old YWCA building.
According to their statement, the RSC formed “as a passion project to create a space for skateboarders during the long Saskatchewan winters.”
Despite the park’s upcoming closure, Harrison is confident a new indoor one will come to the city by establishing partnerships.
“I think that connection point in that relationship is going to be really important to keep strong and to make sure that we're continuing to communicate over the next few months through the close of the park to just see what options are available for any future usage.”
Harrison and others plan to skate at the park one last time before the curtain falls on a community gathering space.
