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There’s a few things going on over the next month for anyone who feels inclined to help out skateboarding in Vancouver. China Creek, The Plaza, Vancouver Youth Week… a facefull of fun’s to be had:

Thursday, Feb 15th at 6:15pm China Creek Clean-up: As you may or may not have noticed, the barrier disappeared from China Creek last week. The good news is that it was relocated to The Sweatshop by Fat Chris, Little Buddy, and Co., not to the scrapyard by the city maintenance crew. Thank yous can be directed to long-long-time skate scene support crew, The Jaks. There’s a few other small ramps still around though, and we’re going to be moving them on Thursday. Probably to the ghetto spot. Any help would be highly appreciated. After moving the ramps, go watch The China Creeps rip shi*t up at Pub 340.

Monday, Feb 19th Youth Week Meeting at the Douglas Park Community Centre: The Coalition is going to throw some kind of event for Youth Week (early May) this year and we’re going to do it in conjunction with the D.P.C.C. because our man Jeff Cole is in charge of the skateboard program there. I’m not sure of the exact time (early afternoon… around 1:00… I think) but I’ll update as soon as I know.

Monday, February 26th at 7pm - Park Board Meeting about The Plaza: Things are looking great for the future of The Plaza, and we want to make sure that it stays that way. Show the city administration types that we’re not spoiled kids who take skateparks for granted by coming to this meeting at the Park Board Administration Building (2099 Beach Drive) and telling everyone why The Plaza rules and should stay right where it is. Keep in mind that people who don’t want The Plaza there will be free to talk too. It’s better if there’s more of us.

Thursday, March 1st at City Hall - City Council Meeting about The Plaza: Because The Plaza is on both City and Park Board land, any decisions about its future have to be deliberated on in a whole whack of meetings. Again… not sure on the time, will update asap.

Now go watch Southern Slaughter, the new Bacon Skateboards video.

Oh yeah, and do something nice for your girl/boyfriend tomorrow, not ’cause it’s Valentine’s day but because it’s what you should do. Over and out.

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If you haven't heard, recently there has been a big debate about blank decks "ruining the industry" and the big companies are feeling threatened... So they decided to run ads appealing to you the customer, and to shops to stop buying/selling blank and shop decks, and claiming that if this trend continues, there will be fewer pro skateboarders, fewer videos, less team tours, demos, competitions, etc...  The following letter is one that I sent to several people in the industry (Blitz Distribution, the IASC, and a couple other big wigs...) in response.  I've posted it here as well, just to let you know my standpoint as well as hopefully to further get the word out to these companies that they've taken the wrong approach to this problem, and yes it actually is a problem.  Skateboarding has died before for similar reasons, and something definitely needs to be done to fix it.  Spread the word...

This is in response to your recent advertising campaign against blank and shop decks.  I agree that it is a problem and I also agree that it needs to be rectified in order to ensure that we all have jobs in the skateboard industry.  However, you are overlooking one major point, and that is where did the blank/shop deck market come from?  I believe that there are two main reasons that prompted the rise in blank board sales.

First being the move to manufacturing boards in China by most of the big brands.  As soon as everyone found out that boards were being manufactured for lower prices (and a lot of the time lower quality) with no drop in the price on the retailer and consumer level, you lost our support.  With such a large drop in production costs, there should have been even a slight drop in the wholesale and retail prices, but there wasn't.  Not to mention that these boards became readily available to shops for shop decks.

Secondly, the shops that helped to build your brands in the first place, independent shops, owned and operated by and for skateboarders, the blood and life line of every skate community around the world, were not given any kind of exclusivity on product from any distributor or company.  Again, you're losing us further.  Mall shops carry the exact same product as the indy shops, but sell at lower prices....  Sure we offer more product knowledge, and better customer service, better atmosphere, etc...  But when it comes down to it, when West 49 has a sale on backpacks, or half price boards, the kids and parents flock to the mall.  They have the buying power, and the advertising dollars that no indy shop can compete with.

These two things together have left indy shops with no realistic alternative to keeping our doors open then to try to find better means to pay the bills.  Shop boards appeal to kids because they see they're support going to something real, and tangible, and saving them money.  I don't care how you cut it up with actual dollar numbers....  If I only have to put out $1000 to make $1000, as opposed to having to put out $1500 to make $1000, which one do you think I'm going to go for?  Especially seeing the lack of support from the pro companies.  For example, you could have sold the mall shops team boards, and kept pro boards exclusive to indy shops, but you were greedy.  Mall shops waive a big order in front of your face, and you bend over backwards.

To put out an ad like this trying to appeal to kids to support the pros, isn't going to work.  The response I've gotten from most people is "f*ck them, what have they done for us? Gouge our pockets?"  They see ads of pros rolling in Mercedes and BMW's and waiving money around... the average skateboarder is typically broke so your pleas are falling on deaf ears.   I hope you're reading all the message boards to see what people have to say about it, because it's not looking so good for you.  They want to see you thrive, but at the same time, they don't see why they should pay double the price of a blank deck for it, when they know what boards cost to make.  Work with us to fix skateboarding, don't just put the onus on customers and shops.  You have to show that you are doing something to fix it too aside from asking them to spend more money, because whether you want to admit it or not, you're just as much a part of the problem.

That being said, I hope that things change soon, I closed down my indoor park and shop about 6 months ago, because I lost so much money, and I've been hesitant to re-open a shop because of the current state of the industry.  I still operate my online shop, and I'm still very much actively involved in my local skateboard community, and I will never stop skating (20 + years and still going strong), but if things don't change, I'm going to seek another career.  Good luck, and I hope things go well.

Glen Field   
Common Ground Skateboard Shop   
glen@commongroundshop.com




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Hello,

This is to let you know that the final report on the upgrade to China Creek South Park is scheduled for the Park Board meeting on Monday, January 15th, 2007. The meeting starts at 7 pm, and will be held at Park Board Administration Building, 2099 Beach Avenue, in Vancouver.

Here's the link to the staff report:
http://vancouver.ca/parks/board/2007/070115/China%20Creek%20South%20Park%20-%20Concept%20Plan%20for%20Park%20Upgrade%20-%202007%20january.pdf

Here's the link to the meeting agenda:
http://vancouver.ca/parks/board/2007/070115/index.htm

Members of the public are invited to attend and make presentations. If you wish to speak at the meeting, please register with Julie Casanova at 604-257-8451 or email her at julie.casanova@vancouver.ca

Please contact me should you have any questions/comments.

China Creek South Park Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks/info/planning/chinacreeksouth/index.htm

Thank you.

Michel Desrochers
Park Planner
City of Vancouver
Tel: 604-257-8529

 -----Original Message-----
From:   Desrochers, Michel 
Sent:   Wednesday, December 13, 2006 4:59 PM
To:     Desrochers, Michel
Subject:        China Creek South Park - Planning Committee recommendation

Hello,

This is to let you know of the outcome of the Dec. 5th meeting regarding China Creek South Park. This was a meeting of the Park Board's Planning Committee, which is a sub-committee of the full Park Board (there are 7 Park Commissioners on the Park Board). There were 3 Park Commissioners present at the Planning Committee meeting: Korina Houghton, Spencer Herbert and Loretta Woodcock.

Park Board staff did not recommend Option 3 (as had been announced at the community meeting in October). Instead, Park Board staff recommended a phased transition:

- phase 1: implement Option 1 but remove the noisiest elements from the skateboard area (i.e. wooden ramps and metal rails);

- phase 2: remove existing skateboard area once a replacement facility is built at a nearby park OR if the existing skateboard area needs major financial investment.

A total of 20 citizens spoke at the meeting. Thirteen spoke in favour of Option 1. Seven spoke in favour of Option 3.

The Park Board's Planning Committee decided to recommend Option 1 to the full Park Board subject to the following:

- the removal of the noisiest elements (wooden ramps and metal rails) from the skateboard area;

- the construction of a grassy berm south of the two skateboarding bowls to buffer noise;

- the addition of extra garbage bins near the skateboard area;

- the installation of signs near the skateboard area stating appropriate park etiquette;

- the formation of a park committee, consisting of residents, skateboarders and Park Board staff, to monitor, assess and act on operational issues in the park.

What's next?
This project is scheduled to be discussed by the Park Board (all seven Park Commissioners) on January 15, 2007. We expect the Park Board to make a final decision about China Creek South Park at this meeting. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting and, if they wish, to speak to the Park Commissioners. Park Board staff will write a report which will be available during the week of January 8th. I will send you an email in early January confirming the date of the meeting, how to register to speak and where you can find the report on the internet.

Please contact me should you have any questions/comments.

Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks/info/planning/chinacreeksouth/index.htm

Thank you.

Michel Desrochers
Park Planner
City of Vancouver
Tel: 604-257-8529

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Hey everyone,

We just got back from the Parks Board meeting regarding China Creek. Both
sides presented arguments for and against for about 3 hours. (Howard
Redekopp, Jeff Chan, Calen Sinclaire, Derek DeLand, Doug Donut, Dan
Cummer, Jay Pay, a couple of neighbours in favour, including Cate
Atkinson, and me, Kim Glennie, spoke to save the bowls, several neighbours
spoke against keeping them.) Mark Vuillamy recommended preserving China
Creek, Michel DesRochers did not speak out against them, just presented
options 1 and 3.

I'll cut to the chase with the good news - the commissioners present are
recommending Option 1 - that is keeping the skatepark! Korina Houghton,
Loretta Woodcock and Spencer Herbert were all in favour of keeping the
bowls. It will go to vote in the beginning of next year, no other
commissioners were present, but Al DeGenova has already voiced his
support, so that means we have a majority!

At the end, and to summarize, the commissioners commended the VSPC on
their positive action and organization, while recognizing that some of the
concerns residents have are real and need to be addressed. The Parks Board
did not agree that removing the bowls would keep the 'bad' element out of
the park; in fact they thought the opposite was true. The Parks Board felt
that all wooden ramps need to be removed, as well as possibly the rail, to
limit noise issues, and to also make the park look cleaner. Korina
Houghton also acknowledged the historic value of the bowls, she really
seemed in favour of some sort of plaque, Loretta Woodcock said we all seem
like a great community with lots of history, and Spencer Herbert said the
skatepark was far more likely to scare away negative activity than attract
it.

Also, the commissioners suggested we all need to work together - that is -
meet with residents sometime in future - and cooperate on how this can
work for everyone. I suggested doing skateboard mentorship or lessons,
through a shop or community centre, and after the meeting, I spoke with
several of the complainants, offered my email address, and said I would
bring up their concerns and possible solutions at the meeting tomorrow.
The Parks Board MAY organize a meeting so we can all get together sometime
also. The woman I spoke longest to, Barb, was the Cedar House community
policing rep, and really wanted the skatepark gone. I tried to make some
suggestions, and she seemed amenable to some of them. They also would like
to be invited to the next event, which would be a great way of helping
them be less intimidated by us skaters. Anyhow, they are open to
discussion with us, in varying degrees, because, really - we all want the
same thing - a great park for everyone. With an amazing skate facility as
well!

So thanks to everyone who took the time to write an email, come out to the
event, show up for any or all of the meetings - it seems like our hard
work has paid off.

See ya tomorrow at the meeting,
Kim and Derek


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Hey everyone,

We just got back from the Parks Board meeting regarding China Creek. Both sides presented arguments for and against for about 3 hours. (Howard Redekopp, Jeff Chan, Calen Sinclaire, Derek DeLand, Doug Donut, Dan Cummer, Jay Pay, a couple of neighbours in favour, including Cate Atkinson, and me, Kim Glennie, spoke to save the bowls, several neighbours spoke against keeping them.) Mark Vuillamy recommended preserving China Creek, Michel DesRochers did not speak out against them, just presented options 1 and 3.

I'll cut to the chase with the good news - the commissioners present are
recommending Option 1 - that is keeping the skatepark! Korina Houghton,
Loretta Woodcock and Spencer Herbert were all in favour of keeping the
bowls. It will go to vote in the beginning of next year, no other
commissioners were present, but Al DeGenova has already voiced his
support, so that means we have a majority!

At the end, and to summarize, the commissioners commended the VSPC on
their positive action and organization, while recognizing that some of the
concerns residents have are real and need to be addressed. The Parks Board
did not agree that removing the bowls would keep the 'bad' element out of
the park; in fact they thought the opposite was true. The Parks Board felt
that all wooden ramps need to be removed, as well as possibly the rail, to
limit noise issues, and to also make the park look cleaner. Korina
Houghton also acknowledged the historic value of the bowls, she really
seemed in favour of some sort of plaque, Loretta Woodcock said we all seem
like a great community with lots of history, and Spencer Herbert said the
skatepark was far more likely to scare away negative activity than attract
it.

Also, the commissioners suggested we all need to work together - that is -
meet with residents sometime in future - and cooperate on how this can
work for everyone. I suggested doing skateboard mentorship or lessons,
through a shop or community centre, and after the meeting, I spoke with
several of the complainants, offered my email address, and said I would
bring up their concerns and possible solutions at the meeting tomorrow.
The Parks Board MAY organize a meeting so we can all get together sometime
also. The woman I spoke longest to, Barb, was the Cedar House community
policing rep, and really wanted the skatepark gone. I tried to make some
suggestions, and she seemed amenable to some of them. They also would like
to be invited to the next event, which would be a great way of helping
them be less intimidated by us skaters. Anyhow, they are open to
discussion with us, in varying degrees, because, really - we all want the
same thing - a great park for everyone. With an amazing skate facility as
well!

So thanks to everyone who took the time to write an email, come out to the
event, show up for any or all of the meetings - it seems like our hard
work has paid off.

See ya tomorrow at the meeting,
Kim and Derek




ff87kim@vfs.com
www.downspace.com
www.theformlab.com

 



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The rain miraculously stayed away today and skaters, neighbours, bikers, babies, dogs and grandmas showed up and partied down at China Creek this afternoon. Parks Board politicians Spencer Herbert, Al De Genova, Loretta Woodcock and Korina Houghton also came by and checked out the action.

Thanks to everyone that helped out, showed up, or sent good vibes. Keep those positive letters and emails flowing to the Parks Board though — the rainless sky today was a good omen, but the battle for China Creek is not yet won. Email the commissioners at: pbcomments@vancouver.ca

Miss Kim from Downspace and two supporters.

Chris gave the quarter-to-fence a beatdown. Here he takes a blunt in to fakie. Nightfighters M.C. represent!

Photos courtesy of George Faulkner.

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Leeside this SUNDAY the 19th - 2- 6 pm --------4pm video plays
so come and watch the great NEW toy machine video .....PRODUCT TOSS FOR BOARDS....see some BANDS....eat some bbq-byobbq if yah want ......drink some hot cocoa...
skate something in a tunnel away from the rain

LETS SHOW THIS CITY HOW BADLY WE NEED AN INDOOR SKATEBOARD PARK ....or LEESIDE!!!!!!

It’s coming up to a busy weekend for the Vancouver Skateboard Coalition and our supporters… China Creek Appreciation Day on Saturday and another event at Leeside on Sunday. A collaboration between the Coalition and the Leeside Stewardship Group, “November Rain” is going to be a reminder of how cool Leeside will be when it finally gets finished.

November Rain is going to run from 2-6pm on Sunday, November 19th. There’ll be live music starting at 2:00 courtesy of local bands, including Jaws, Joel, and the funnest and most fun-loving band in the city, The Doers.

Skating? Of course, that’s what it’s all about. Bring your tight tranny skills to the barrier jamboree. A strong showing may even tempt Deer Man of Dark Woods or Depth Leviathan Dweller to rise from the shadows.

And when the sun goes down, get cozy and brace yourselves for a screening of Toy Machine’s new video, Suffer the Joy , which has been sending audiences into a frenzy.

Leeside is under the Cassiar connector at Hastings and Hwy 1. From Renfrew St., go east on Pender to the dead end and turn left.

Photo courtesy of sillygwailo.

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This article was written by Jeff Chan for beyondrobson.com - so show up Saturday and support China Creek, skate, see a demo, have some hot chocolate. It will be fun.


China Creek Appreciation Day!

Vancouver's rich skateboard history would not be the same without China Creek. Built in 1979, it's the oldest skatepark in Vancouver, the second-oldest in Canada, and one of the few North American concrete skateparks from the 1970s that's still in existence. And now it may be in danger. A few concerned locals, among them the Vancouver Skateboard Coalition, have been doing what they can to drum up support and have successfully gained some attention through articles in The Courier, The Province, 24 Hours, and Metro; radio interviews with CBC and CKNW; and, to date, two meetings with Vancouver Parks Board officials. The response has been encouraging, but we're not in the clear yet, so the Vancouver Skateboard Coalition and the Neighbours in Support of the Skatepark are going to host a China Creek Appreciation Day to highlight the positive energy associated with this historic place.

China Creek Appreciation Day will take place on Saturday, November 18th from 1-4pm at China Creek Skatepark. Rain or shine. There'll be a skate jam, a prize giveaway at 2:00, and tents serving coffee and hot chocolate... to accommodate us on the ever-so-slight chance that it rains.

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We are glad to have the Vancouver Skateboard Coalition on Board at SkateboardVillage.com


Check it out, with a new name, logo, website and changes to the board of directors.



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China Creek Park Appreciation Day: THIS SATURDAY, November 18th.

1-4pm with Skate Jam and Prizes happening at 2pm.

Coffee, Hot Chocolate and Tents in place in case it rains.

This is a chance to come and get everyone stoked on China Creek - Parks Board Politicians will be there.

Sponsored by the Coalition and Neighbours in Support of the Skatepark

For more info and article on the event check out  http://www.beyondrobson.com/

http://www.vspc.ca/



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HAROLD HUNTER DAY, SATURDAY OCTOBER 7TH  - JAM AND VIDEO PREMIER
 
To the Fans!
 
This event spawned from a New Era Hat that was designed for Harold by Harold & his design friends before he passed.  The Hat is part of New Era’s 59/Fifty program where all proceeds will be donated to a charity. The hat is retailing for an estimated $200 with a ltd. Amount of 288 made. The charity has yet to be chosen, but will either be “stoked mentoring” or the “Harold Hunter Foundation” which is still in the stages of getting legally set up. Either way the hat is dope and it’s an amazing personalized piece to commemorate and celebrate with good intentions to give back to the scene.
 
As Harold wanted to kick off the launch of this unique and limited personalized gem with a session and party to follow, we are going to do just that. There are 2 events, “Skate for “H” Jam & “Legends Never Die” video premier. Both are to commemorate Harold & connect the scene and NYC industry community that supported and continue to support the spirit of Harold Hunter.
 
Skate for “H” Jam @ Chinatown Park Under the Manhattan Bridge
12-5 PM All ages skate jam featuring newly built ramps for the event as well as music by DJ Premier, DJ Evil Dee, Vinny Ponte & Neil Nice.  The event is made possible by both Zoo York and New Era along with teams & brands including: Shut Skates, Anything, UXA, 5boronyc, Rock Star Bearings, Official, Verte, Frank 151, DQM, Rival, Supreme, Autumn, KCDC & Drinks supplied by RedBull.
 
R.B. Umali's “Legends Never Die” Video Premier @ KCDC SkateShop in Williamsburg Brooklyn
8-Midnight 21 & Over “Legends Never Die” produced by east coast videographer R.B. Umali.  This film is 25 minutes of unreleased Harold Footy. Drinks served, a usual heated miniramp jam & local DJ to keep it pop’n.
 
We see this event as the debut to a annual event moving forward to commemorate an east coast legend and promote the spirit of Harold Hunter for years and generations to come. Please spread the word and come boost the vibe and attendance in memory of Harold!
 
 
Chinatown Park is located under the Manhattan Bridge @ corner of Pike & Monroe St.  
KCDC is located at 99 North 11th Street between Berry & Wythe, Williamsburg BKLN
 
Rain Date for Skate For “H” Jam is scheduled for October 8th.
KCDC Video Premier will be Rain or Shine




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