Here are some of the latest developments from the Leeside Stewardship Group,
LEESIDE MEMORIAL SKATEPARK
Originally conceived as a bus loop by BC Transit, the project was
abandoned in the early 1990s. The potential of this space was
eventually recognized by a number of local youth, including Lee Matasi,
who sought to utilize it for graffiti and skateboarding purposes. The
Leeside Stewardship Group along with the Vancouver Skateboarding
Coalition is working to develop this space in recognition of his
efforts and out of respect for his life that ended too soon. At this
stage, we are awaiting a council report to approve funding for a
project which will transform Leeside into a community space devoted to
the youth cultures of the skate, bike and graffiti communities.
While things have definitely been tied up in bureaucratic red tape,
we are pushing ahead. Right now we are dealing with an Engineering
requirement that has the tunnel split straight down the middle with
jersey barriers in order to provide 5 meters of space for vehicle and
pedestrian access. While ECOMM (our nearest neighbour) does need
emergence vehicle access through the tunnel, this is the last thing we
want to see. We are in the process of setting up a stakeholder meeting
with Engineering, Parks Board, and ECOMM which will focus on finding
another solution that will serve all the users of this space in a
better manner. This will take place at the end of March and from there
we can start talking design.
