Demolition of Concrete Wave Park in Vegreville Raises Serious Concerns

Demolition of Concrete Wave Park in Vegreville Raises Serious Concerns

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

No one was more disappointed to learn of the demolition of the Concrete Wave Park than Vegreville resident Candace Gegolick who read about and saw photographs of the dismantling of the skate park equipment on May 12 on the Town of Vegreville’s Facebook page.

The official notice stated, “The Town of Vegreville has begun the preliminary work for ‘Pysanka Putt-Putt’ Mini Golf at the Pysanka Park! As a part of this process, the Town has started removing the current skate park infrastructure/equipment.”

Gegolick emailed a letter to town council on that same day, (May 12) to express her “extreme disheartenment and disappointment” regarding the matter. In a very short period of time, Gegolick said she had come across a lot of families that share the same feelings. She also pointed out that there were numerous business and individuals that donated their time and money to make the park possible. The plaque at the Concrete Wave Park reads “Here are the individuals and groups who believed in the project and took the time, provided information, encouragement, a helping hand and made a contribution to the endowment of our children’s recreational development. You made this journey worthwhile.”

Dismantling of skate park equipment last week.

(Town of Vegreville/Facebook Photo)

Gegolick emphasized the fact that, “This Wave Park is more than just a structure. It is, (was) an illustration of how the community of Vegreville can come together and donate their time and resources to support our children and their recreational development.

I’m curious if the individuals listed on that plaque will feel and react similarly to me when they hear that without any public consideration, it was dismantled.

From what I understand after reading the notice on Facebook and speaking to someone at the town office, the town would like to keep the cement pad for the mini golf. That cement pad only exists because of the good people listed on that plaque who took time out of their busy lives, who donated their equipment, supplies and money and worked so hard to make that Wave Park happen for our kids.

Commemorative plaque of contributors of the skate park that opened in 2002.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

I find it offensive that the town took down the ramps, (rather quickly) and left the cement pad for their use for the mini golf. This cement pad wasn’t an approved expenditure from the town’s budget when it was poured as far as I know.

Furthermore, the town decided to do this all the while children were using the Wave Park daily, and now you’ve left them with nothing for the summer since obviously the new skate park is not completed yet.

So, where is the consideration here for our children? It seems that the intention behind the Wave Park and that concrete pad is totally lost. What will you do with the plaque? Take that down too? What will you tell all the children that use this park daily?

There was no invitation for public opinion on this decision. It’s rare that existing structures or spaces are removed or re-purposed. When new developments are considered in residential areas adjacent landowners are notified. So, my question is, why would removal of public amenities not be sent out in a similar fashion, giving those in the neighboring areas a chance to appeal the decision?

There was a notice posted on Facebook after the demolishing occurred, why was there not a similar one posted or published somewhere before? If there was such notice to the public that this was going to occur, I assure you, you would have received pushback from the community and parents of children that use this skate park daily.”

In addition to Gegolick and her children, several more parents and their children were at the Concrete Wave Park on May 12. They expressed their frustration and said the mini golf could be put in a number of different locations as Pysanka Park has plenty of available green space as well as the nearby campground that could accommodate the mini golf.

Roberta Brogden, who lives in the house right next to the Concrete Wave Park, said she sees about 20 kids a day playing at the Concrete Wave Park every day. “I think it’s stupid...There are so many little kids that enjoyed the skate park and now they are going to have to get their parents to drive them all the way to the skate park. Why didn’t they leave this one here and have that one over there?”

Some of the youth indicating their displeasure regarding council’s decision at the skate park on May 12.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

She added, “I refuse the idea of a mini golf. The kids had a good time here and they just took it and ripped it apart.”

The Vegreville News Advertiser reached out to the Town of Vegreville for information and comment on May 15 and was told the matter would be discussed by council. No further information was available before press time

Youth at the Concrete Wave Park on May 12.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)