It may have taken seven years of dedication, determination, and hard work by a small group of people to raise over $175,000, and bring the dream of a skatepark in Barriere to reality – but it was well worth the effort.
On Saturday, October 29, 2022, the Barriere Skatepark was officially opened by District of Barriere Mayor Ward Stamer, and the main driving force behind the Barriere Skatepark Society, Dustin Doherty.
“Thanks Barriere for this wonderful community manifestation,” said Doherty as he addressed the large crowd of people who had turned out for the opening, while numerous young people were already enjoying the skatepark’s smooth concrete riding surface.
“It was actually Barriere that almost entirely built the skatepark,” said Doherty, “And that was a really cool way of it happening. We didn’t really need anyone from outside, we did it ourselves, and I think that’s great. The Skatepark is meant to be a super inclusive place, where everyone is welcome to come and use it anytime they want. The one thing that I look for is mutual respect in a place that is welcoming. Thanks to all of you because we all made this possible.”
District of Barriere Mayor Ward Stamer thanked all who attended, and all who supported the project over the past seven years.
“This has been seven years in the making, there have been so many people that have been involved in this process and I can’t thank everyone but I want to identify a few as it will give you an idea of just how many people put there time and effort into making this a reality,” said Stamer, “We’ve had everything from a mid-winter fun bash back in January of 2017 that raised $1400, a Barriere Park Show ’N’ Shine in 2017 that raised $2000, a Barriere Elementary Art For Others event that raised $500, and also an East Barriere Lake Volleyball Tournament in 2017 that brought in $1400, the list goes on and on. We also want to thank our Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society which was the spearhead in the fundraising effort to make sure there was enough money there so the society could match whatever we had to do, and I also want to thank Interior Savings and Insurance, Timbermart, Barriere Auto Parts, District of Barriere, Defiance Contracting, and Gary Forsythe - Sundown Construction.”
Stamer also recognized the work of Kamloops Concrete for the placing and finishing.
“Their crew did a fantastic job working out here in the hot sun. They just put their heart and soul into this project.
“I also want to thank Ernie Piva, Brian Strauss, Jim Harper for all the welding that he did, Corrie Jackson… the list goes on and on. But I also want to assure that we wouldn’t have been able to start this project and finish it without the vision, the commitment, and the focus of Dustin Doherty.”
The Mayor and Doherty then prepared to cut the ribbon to officially open the skatepark.
“On behalf of the District of Barriere it is my pleasure to open up our skatepark,” said Stamer, “And a huge thanks to Dustin Doherty and his crew.”
After the official opening the skateboarders, scooter, and BMX riders returned to enjoying the facility while six free draws were held giving away new skateboards, refreshments were served, and plenty of photographs were snapped.
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