'Q' r-4,BY, Sk'a'*te'boarding faclity, ueedled in Whi*tby To the. Editor. Re: Skateboarding facilities in Durbain. As parents of a 14-year-old boy who is extremely keen on skateboarding, w. are sure w. are not alon. in beimg disappointed in the lack of facilities provided ini the Durham area. A group of parents got together a couple of months ago and approached Town of Whitby parka and recreation by telephone te find out if they had any plans te incorporate the provision of a skateboarding park in Whitby or the surrounding areas. We were teld that it was not possible because of the expense with regard te insurance. They suggeeted we approach the Optimists in Brooklin, who were very sympathetic, but they could flot help at the present tiine. We have a new recreation facility at Roesland Rd. which is not of much interest te the majority of people in. Whitby (particularly most teenagers). Surely, another minor expense like insurance coverage could not b. considered expe'nsive when you consider the millions that went inte the new rec centre. They didn't even include a hockey rink there, either, which is what the youth of Whitby need also, but not as bad as a skateboarding facility. Maybe they need te be teld in tronger terme on what we would like our tax. dollars te be We feel the -excuse we have been given about insurance coverage ie rubbish, as there is danger in alniost every facility jrqided by the Town, My Mounger son'broke hie wrist in arqui Park while watching a hockey game. My teenage son brake hie" femur while playing hockey in a rep tem for Whitby last year. Othere I lcnow have- suffered broken limbs from fa:ling frorn swings provided by the teown, some have been injured on monkey, bars, countless others have been injured in both hockey and lacrosse. Waivers seem te work for other things. How did they get around the insurance problem at the rec centre? It cant be much different for an indoor ekateboarding facility. In order for my son and., is friendp te enjoy their ekateboarding, they miuet either travel! te, Mississauga or Peterb&-ôughi' We, are a very short-sighted nation when it cornes te, our teenagers. An indoor. facility where skateboarders could go and practice their 'moves' and 'new tricks' would keep them occupied ail year, partlcularly in the cold winter which We are just facing. A group of about 15 skateboà rders, which includes my son, agreed te, pay $15 each a week andu ~the money to try and formi a clib They were going to rent a w4rehouse and build their own r,,mps etc'., for an indoorl facility, but they ran into insurance problems. These boys were willing te work at anything to get this $15 a week, so we are not dealing with a whim here. I think the Town should help these boys. They could charge inte the facility and -recoup their money. I bet you would find more teenage boys* there than at the new rec centre. My son played rep hockey for niany years for WVhitby, but bas now decieded te play house league hockey so that hie cari have more time te travel te Mississauga and Peterborough te skateboard in a supervised and safe environment. This way he cari do both the things hie loves, but mot both in Whitby. Maybe we are cloSimg our eyes to our youth, which bas been the norm fÃor generations. When we were -in Emgland and Ireland in the summer, they had skateboarding facilities in every small town, provided by the town, and they were not afraid of liability. Also, there are increclible facilities in most U.S. towns. I think this question of liability is just a lame excuse te do nothimg. Maybe the Town of Whitby could write te England and/or the U.S.A., *ho seem te, have no problem getting around the prblem of liability, and find out how they do it. I would be glad te assist them in any way I cari, free of charge,. if I cari help the skateboarders. if any parents Of skateboarders would like to join our littie 'pressure group to try and get a s afe skateboa:rding facility in Whitby, cali Anne at 666-9908. Our skatebovýrding, teenagers and younger gkate- boarders wlll love us for it. A skateboarding facility would also be of benefit te the businesses in Whitby, as sorne skateboarders are forced te skate near their p..remises for lack of a facility ... I you are a business person and would. like te help, too, we would be glad to hear from you. Anne Beesley Whitb~y .... ... ....... ... Custom Interior Executive Home in Whitby 2,600 sq. ft. ail brick, 4 + 1 bdrms., greenhouse kitchen, air, central vac., finished bsmnt., custom drapes & carpets, pool & change house, interlock walks & patio, and more. 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